The secrets of its production
It was discovered following the natural fermentation of grape juice. It has stood the test of time, and today it is still made using the same principle, although the production steps have been refined by man to create a higher-quality product.
The resulting wine depends primarily on the grape variety. This is a term used to refer to varieties of grapevines. White wine comes from the alcoholic fermentation of specific grape varieties: white grapes or grapes with white juice.
There are several types of white grape varieties that are grown by winegrowers to make good white wine.
The best-known are listed below:
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Muscat blanc: This is an entire family of grape varieties, but the most popular among them is Muscat blanc à petits grains. This family of grape varieties is characterized by its fruity aroma (grapefruit, musk, table grapes, etc.). It is mainly found in Alsace, Italy, Australia…
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Riesling: Depending on the terroir (limestone, clay, or granite soils…), it can produce different types of wine. Riesling has a strong fragrance. The main aromas are lemon, cinnamon, kerosene, linden… It is mainly found in Alsace and Germany, where it is considered the noblest grape variety, as well as in Spain, Canada, and America. It can notably be used to make sparkling wines such as the famous Crémant d’Alsace.
- Gewurztraminer: This is a grape variety distinguished by its intense aromaticity. Aromas of pineapple, lychee, nutmeg, and rose can be detected. It is also found in Austria, Germany, and Canada.
- Chardonnay: This is the benchmark grape variety for making dry white wine. It offers several aromas: peach, butter, citrus, lychee, and pear. Around the world, Burgundy and Vallée de la Loire white wines are a benchmark. Montrachet, an appellation in the Côtes d’Or, is a Chardonnay considered the greatest dry white wine in the world, and that’s that. Chardonnay with Pinot noir are often used in Burgundy to produce the wonderful Champagnes, these elegant sparkling wines, synonymous with parties! This grape variety is also found in South Africa, Canada, Australia, Italy, and other countries.
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- Sauvignon blanc: This is a grape variety grown worldwide. Two of the best white wines in the world are made from this grape. It offers aromas of herbs, green fruit, mint, and apple.
- Muscadelle: A traditional Bordeaux grape variety, this grape is highly sensitive; it produces very good sweet and luscious white wines, but it can easily fall ill. The winegrower must therefore take great care of it.
- Pinot Gris: Like its cousins Pinot blanc and Pinot noir, this grape variety is a staple in the Grand Est. It is highly prized in the production of Alsatian wines for its roundness on the palate and its structured character.
- Chenin blanc: This grape variety makes its way, pardon the pun, through the Vallée de la Loire to produce good dry white wines and sweet wines depending on the vineyards and appellations. When well-crafted, it can produce great white wines, and it is even used for certain sparkling wines (Crémant de Loire, Crémant de Limoux).
In the Rhône Valley, you can also enjoy very good white wines. If you have any doubts, try our fine organic white wine, the Côtes-du-Rhône blanc.
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These grape varieties undergo well-defined processes before being bottled in a wine cellar.
From grape to wine
The winemaking steps may vary from one producer to another, but generally, they are as follows:
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Harvesting: This is the grape harvest. It can be done in two ways: by hand or with a mechanical harvester. It is a delicate operation, as it determines the quality of the raw material used.
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Destemming and crushing: Destemming consists of separating the stems from the berries. Crushing involves breaking the grapes to separate the skin from the pulp. These are optional steps.
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Pressing: This takes place after the harvest or after destemming and crushing. Pressing involves passing the grapes through a press to extract the juice. The pressure applied must be carefully controlled. If it is too strong, plant-based materials will be extracted with the juice and give the wine an acidic, herbaceous taste. The operation must be carried out below 12°C to prevent premature alcoholic fermentation.
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Racking: This step consists of removing solid particles (lees) from the juice. Two methods can be used: racking or centrifugation.
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Sulfite addition: White grape must is highly susceptible to oxidation, which is why sulfur dioxide is added. This helps stabilize the juice.
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Alcoholic fermentation: Grapes contain natural yeasts for fermentation. However, some producers add more by hand to stimulate the process. Fermentation lasts about ten days. Malolactic fermentation is reserved for red wines. This fermentation is avoided for white wines and rosé wines to preserve the wine's freshness.
- Aging: This can be done in two ways. The first is to put the wine in large barrels with the lees. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation to produce a softer wine. The second way is to store the wine for a few weeks without lees. Before bottling, the wine will undergo microfiltration to produce a clear wine.
Each producer can add their personal touch to create different varieties of wine.
To learn the difference between IGP and AOC, read our article on the subject
Read this article on the mysteries of yellow wine too!
The different types of white wine
Several types of white wine are available on the market:
- Sweet white wines or dessert wines: sweet white wines have a lower sugar content than dessert wines. They are made from ripe grapes harvested late. Sweet white wines, for example, pair very well with foie gras. A Coteaux du layon is an example of a sweet white wine.
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Dessert wines: These are wines with a high residual sugar content, around 40 to 50 grams per liter. During production, the winemaker adds water and botrytized grapes. This causes the grapes to ripen.
- Fruity dry white wines: dry white wines are dry, meaning they are less sweet and have fruity aromas that are smooth on the palate. Alsatian Gewurztraminer is one example.
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Powerful dry white wines: These are dry white wines aged in large oak barrels. The taste is intense.
- Light or off-dry white wines: These are lighter and more delicate wines with a subtle citrus aroma.
Read this detailed article on dry white wine too
The production of white wine and its winemaking are very delicate. These are branded beverages that represent the pride of their producers and the region. Some examples include Muenchberg and Steinert; there are also white wines from Bordeaux, such as Bordeaux de Maucaillou blanc… and also grand cru wines.
To understand what vegan wine means, click here
The characteristics of white wine
Unlike red wine, white wine juice is not macerated with the grape skins and seeds. This is why white wines are not tannic, are less astringent on the palate, and are more lively. We greatly appreciate their lightness and their pleasant roundness on the palate.
More aged white wines, which are sweeter, develop tertiary aromas with notes of candied fruit, vanilla, tobacco, or hay. Drier white wines are more refined, sometimes with mineral notes, a hint of acidity, and a floral and fruity bouquet.
Food and wine pairings
Enjoying a white wine is a breeze! This wine is a chameleon and pairs well with many dishes; you just need to choose the right ones to find the perfect balance.
Natural sweet wines, or even dessert wines, such as Savoie wines, yellow wines, straw wines from the Jura, or sweet Alsatian wines, are true delights for the palate when paired with foie gras, goat cheeses, blue cheeses, and especially cheeses from the region! To ensure a perfect food and wine pairing, the safest option is to choose a wine and a dish from the same region.
Its pairing with seafood is a white wine essential. This wine perfectly showcases seafood such as oysters and mussels, and our white Bordeaux pairs perfectly with products from the Southwest.
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White-fleshed fish as well as white meats are also excellent options to go with a good bottle of white wine. You can grill them or bake them with a little aromatic herbs and a lemon sauce and you're all set! Easy, right?
If you're a real expert, you can also try cooking a good blanquette to impress everyone. Served with a white wine, you might just see Jean Dujardin show up to ask you, “How’s your blanquette?”!
Sometimes overlooked, products such as asparagus or artichokes served with a good homemade mayonnaise and a glass of Muscadet are excellent for starting a meal off beautifully!
The colors of white wine
Wine is a matter of aromas and color. We use the term “robe” to refer to the visual appearance of the wine. With such a word, it's impossible not to dream. Using the word robe brings the wine to life, dresses it up, and highlights one of its greatest qualities: its stunning beauty.
Who hasn't fallen for a beautiful glass of white wine?
When tasting, you pour the wine into the glass and then swirl it to observe its robe and smell it. The tears (or legs) of the wine then trace lines down the sides of the glass, creating a true work of art.
The color of white wine ranges from yellow-green to reddish. The younger the wine, the lighter and paler its color, with green highlights. As it matures, its color develops more golden, even orange, tones.
To learn more about wine: