What is a dry white wine?
Discover the Oé dry white wine range!
What is a dry white wine?
A dry white wine is a white wine that contains less than 2 grams per liter of residual sugar , i.e. less than 0.2%.
For sparkling dry wines , the sugar content is 17 to 35 grams per litre . It must therefore be made clear that we are talking here about still wines and not sparkling wines. This low amount of sugar in dry white wine decreases as the wine matures. So, for white wines for laying down , they more often have a very low sugar level . This is because of the fermentation of the wine which continues little by little during its maturation.
All this is done in such a way that the sugar content and other characteristics of the white wine are well respected. For the sugar content , it is determined by the harvest period and the sugar content of the must.
These two parameters are therefore considered very important and essential to control in the production of dry white wine.
The grape varieties to obtain a white wine
There are many grape varieties for making a good white wine . In France, we mainly recognize Chardonnay , Pinot blanc , Riesling , Viognier , Gewurztraminer or Sylvaner . In the world, there are still several other grape varieties intended for the production of white wine: Sultanine, Airen, Ugni blanc and Dattier de Beyrouth…
In the production of a dry white wine , the choice of grape varieties is important. This is due to the characters specific to each grape variety.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is arguably the most widely used in the world to make white wine . It is very appreciated by the fact that it gives a very aromatic and fruity wine. This grape variety is mainly present in the Champagne and Burgundy regions of France. It is also found in the United States, Australia, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Chardonnay is mainly used for the production of dry wines , but it can also give sweet wines .
Pinot Blanc
Among the grape varieties for making white wine , there is also Pinot blanc . It can be found in France in the region of Burgundy and Alsace , in Italy, in Germany, in Austria, as well as in the United States. It is one of the most widespread grape varieties in the world, despite the fact that it gives quite small clusters. Pinot blanc is appreciated because it tolerates variable climates.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon blanc finds its best expression in the Loire Valley, mainly in the Sancerre appellations . Sauvignon Blanc has a natural acidity that goes perfectly with seafood. It is perfect with goat cheeses or with spicy cuisine from the south-east.
How is dry white wine made?
The harvest is done when the white grapes are ripe . This maturity defines the sugar content of the grapes .
If the harvest is carried out too early, the grapes are not ripe enough. Alcohol content and residual sugar content will be affected. This will result in drier than expected wines with low alcohol content.
If the harvest is done too late, we obtain overripe grapes with very high sugar content. This will make it impossible to make dry white wine , as the residual sugar content will therefore be higher. Thanks to the late harvest , we obtain a demi-sec or a sweet wine.
Destemming and crushing are well-known steps in winemaking just after the harvest. The grape berries are separated from the stalk before being pressed. For white wine, do not drag to avoid unwanted maceration .
Depending on the pressing parameters , dry white wines can acquire bitterness and a bouquet of aromas depending on the desired product. The addition of water and other additives during manufacturing also determine the sugar concentration of the finished product.
Settling is a step that allows the juice to be clarified at the end of pressing.
During fermentation , the stopping of fermentation caused by the addition of sulfur or cold also plays a big role in making a dry white. Indeed, it determines the alcoholic degree and the residual sugar content.
To obtain white wines for laying down, the winemaker can place it in vats to age it. This is called malolactic fermentation.
Oé offers a selection of dry white wines , all produced with respect for the environment. At Oé, we select organic wines for you because they are better for your health and for the planet . They contain little sulphites unlike conventional wines .
Since 2012, organic winemaking has appeared. Previously, only the mention “ from organic grapes ” appeared on our good bottles of organic dry white wines . From now on, the Label AB is displayed with pride, meaning that the whole production of this wine is organic. For biodynamic dry white wines and natural dry white wines, it is also a work of art that begins with vinification and ends with bottling. Drinking a good organic wine is worth it!
Food and dry white wine pairings
The advantage of white wine is that it is also easy to marry with an aperitif , a main course and a dessert . It's the perfect companion for your cellar, ready to be pulled out for any occasion.
We know its well-known associations, especially in the Entre-Deux-Mers , with mussels , oysters and shellfish , accompanied by a slice of butter and a slice of lemon, a real treat! White wine is also an ally of products from the land such as white meat . To delight your guests, you can serve them a good veal blanquette accompanied by classic white wines from Burgundy , Alsace or even a white Bordeaux . To bring madness, you can also serve it with a good Savoy wine .
For dessert, sweet white wines and natural sweet wines are often favored for their delicacy and roundness in the mouth. They go very well with fresh fruits such as pears or melon . If you are interested, we share our recipe for Pavlova with Pear , a real delight.
Dry white wines can also be enjoyed with dessert, light, fruity and fragrant, they go perfectly with strawberries. Serve a bottle of Pouilly Fumé with a scoop of strawberry ice cream and a square of dark chocolate, you'll be a hit!
Great white wines
When great minds meet, great wines too! To make great white wines, you need a lot of know-how, patience, love, beautiful vines and a well-kept cellar .
To produce great wines and good vintages , the work of the winegrowers begins with the harvest . Particular attention is paid to the vines and the best grapes are selected. During the late harvest, the winemaker harvests overripe grapes , that is to say grapes with noble rot ( botrytis cinerea ), which develop unique aromas. He can then proudly display the words " Selection of Noble Grains " on his wine . Be careful though, the line between grapes of excellence and past grapes is very fine. Fortunately, the winegrowers have mastered their subject at their fingertips!
Discover our article on Marie-Paule, Oé winemaker from Languedoc-Roussillon
Each grape variety has its particularity, its personal touch which makes it so unique and sought after. Our beautiful wine regions of France have their signature grape varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Burgundy , or Cabernet Franc and Semillon in Bordeaux .
The terroir also plays a key role. The land on which the vine grows forges its character. The limestone soils give minerality to the white wines, a touch of finesse much appreciated in the great white wines.
You are probably familiar with Châteauneuf-du-Pape , a great wine from the Rhône Valley . We love it so much that at Oé we decided to offer it to you so that you too can enjoy a good organic and vegan Châteauneuf-du-Pape . More discreet, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is also produced in white wine and it is a marvel of nature!
Burgundy holds the prize for the most expensive red wine in the world with a bottle of Romanée Conti sold at auction for more than 480,000 euros. White Burgundy wines are also highly sought after, whether for small pleasures with a good Chablis or more exclusive pleasures with a nice bottle of Montrachet . When you love you don't count, especially for a nice bottle of white wine!
The legendary Coulée de Serrant estate is located in the Loire Valley. Biodynamic since 1981, this wine produced from the Chenin grape variety is the pride of its region, the Loire Valley .
The aromatic notes and colors of white wine
White wine is a taste and visual pleasure. At the tasting , we take the time to observe the beautiful color of the wine, to make it dance in the glass before smelling the aromatic perfumes which escape on the surface. We sometimes like to watch it so much that we forget to drink it. Yes, it's quite mesmerizing to watch your white wine swirl around in the glass. Bursts of light twinkle like city streetlights late at night, and the brilliance of this wine's color is an invitation to contemplation.
From dry white wine to sweet white wine , the color palette of white wines is very wide. Jura straw wine and yellow wine are aptly named, and their yellow color is known all over the world. Dry, less sweet wines tend to have lighter, paler tones. Some wines even have very beautiful green reflections !
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