White wine owes its light coloring to the color of the grape used-golden, green, and white being the most common. However, some wineries produce white wine by using only the flesh of a red grape. White wine usually accompanies lighter meals and often pairs well with light meat or seafood.

Generally speaking, white wine has eight different varietals; these are often called “The Big Eight.” These are: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Sémillon, Viognier, and Chenin Blanc. All of these wines take their name from the type of grape used in their production.

Chardonnay is the number one selling white wine varietal in America, and is extremely versatile in its pairings. Most Chardonnays come from either California or France. People often describe the flavor as “buttery” with a fruity impression. The Loire Valley in France produces most of the Chenin Blanc on the market, although vineyards in California and Argentina also produce this varietal. Its flavor and acidity can vary wildly depending upon the time of the grape harvest.

Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio comes in two distinct types: Italian and French. The Italian version tends to be less full-bodied than that produced in other countries. Gewürztraminer, coming from a German root word indicating spiciness, pairs well with Asian foods and can have a rose-like flavor. It is produced in a variety of countries.

Riesling wines are known for their versatility; they can be paired with almost anything. The dryness of the wine is often indicated in German on the bottle. New Zealand and France are the major producers of Sauvignon Blanc wine, and the difference in geography shows in the wide variety of flavors that a Sauvignon Blanc wine can display.

Sémillon and Viognier are lesser-known varietals that hail from specific regions of France: the Sémillon grape often is grown in Bordeaux and Côtes de Gascoigne, and the Viognier in the northern Rhône regions. These grapes often figure in blends, and so, as stand-alone wines, they are much more rare and more expensive.

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