An essential element of French gastronomy, white wine is the result of a 2,500 year old art of wine making and tasting. The appreciation and the choice of wine obey to a set of very specific rules specific to wine. And even if serving a white wine at a festive meal is a must, choosing it without false notes can be very complicated. To help you, we have put together a selection of the best white wines of the moment. Follow the guide.
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A sweet white wine AOC of Alsace elaborated with one of the best white grape varieties: Gewurztraminer. At first, the eye is delighted with a sublime golden yellow color, brilliant and limpid. The nose is extremely aromatic with fragrances of roses, exotic fruits and spices. The bouquet is full and mellow with a fresh and acidic finish. This wine goes well with desserts, aperitifs and foie gras.
Burgundy white wine lovers will be totally served with this 2015 Chardonnay from Maison Champy. It's an elegant and smooth blend of the renowned terroirs of Mersault and Rully, as well as Pulligny. And the taste is simply sublime: a pleasant bouquet of fresh, fruity flavors, with floral aromas (orange blossom, white flowers, honeysuckle).
For a dry white wine with excellent value, choose this Bordeaux from Château Fourcas Dupré. The taste is powerful, with aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, a woody flavor and a nice finish leaving a vegetal touch on the palate. It is ideal with pork, lean fish, poultry but can also be enjoyed as an aperitif and with vegetarian dishes.
Here is a quality dry white wine from Bordeaux, from the famous Château Sigalas Rabaud. Made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, La Sémillante Sigalas dry white is a little wonder. It displays sweet fruity flavors in the mouth (citrus, lemon, lemon peel, melon, apple, pear) with woody notes (vanilla, oak, butter).
A beautiful sweet white wine from Spain, this No.2 Victoria from Jorge Ordóñez is subtle and seductive. The bouquet is fruity to perfection, with a sweet mix of apricot, peach, apple, pineapple and mango flavors. This white wine also has floral fragrances and a mineral overtone. It offers an excellent balance between sweetness and acidity.
A sparkling wine with an excellent quality-price ratio. The EPC Blanc de blancs extra-brut Alain Edouard establishes the reputation of Champagne as a luxury drink to be uncorked on special occasions. Powerful, with fine and precise bubbles, it offers a superb roundness and a balanced taste. This sparkling wine is the ideal accompaniment to shellfish, fatty fish, pork and soft cheeses.
Want to party, but don't want alcohol? This exceptional alcohol-free Nosecco sparkler, to be consumed with less moderation than its counterparts, is perfect for any occasion. Plus, it's vegan, with subtle fruit and white flower flavors and no artificial flavors.
This grand cru champagne from the Pierre Paillard estate offers a very good quality-price ratio. With an exceptional effervescence with hyper-fine bubbles, it offers an exquisite bouquet, powerful and acidic, with a predominance of fruity notes (especially apples, pears, green apples, citrus fruits, lemons) associated with flavors of toasted bread and brioche.
This is a very well priced Sauternes Grand Cru Classé from Chateau de Rayne Vigneau. With a powerful and mellow flavor, it has an intensely rich bouquet with a sweet honey flavor associated with ginger and fruity notes (apricot, apple, peach, citrus, marmalade, orange). It goes perfectly with fruity desserts and blue cheeses.
Made by the famous Cad'el Bosco, one of the most important wine-producing companies in northern Italy, this white wine is a must to accompany pasta, seasoned meats but also hard cheese, shellfish and lean fish. It has a voluptuous bouquet with woody and fruity aromas.
If you are looking for a dry white wine AOC de Bordeaux, premier Grand cru de classe A, very mineral with fruity aromas, the Petit cheval 2019 is the product for you. It is made from a successful blend of Sauvignon Blanc (79%) and Semillon (21%). We appreciate its floral scents and its very persistent finish. The package includes 3 bottles of 75 cl.
A case of 3 bottles of 75 cl synonymous with exception and prestige of the famous Chateau Margaux. Pavillon blanc 2018 is a rare wine, made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc. It exhibits scents of green guava, fresh pineapple, tangerine zest, ginger, apricot and ginger. The palate is elegant, medium-bodied, very fresh with tropical notes and a pleasant exotic finish.
It's safe to say that the price is worth it for this exceptional class of Sauternes. Château d'Yquem 2014 is a sweet white, from a premier cru supérieur and offers an exquisite and harmonious bouquet: pure honey flavors, white chocolate and almond notes, pleasant acidity (orange zest, lemon sorbet, grated ginger). The case contains 3 bottles of 75 cl.
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To choose the right wine, it is first essential to know what food you want to accompany. Generally speaking, all white wines can be paired with white meat: fish, chicken, etc. However, you should know that with dessert, it is more judicious to marry a sweet or mellow white wine. Some wines, such as Chablis, can be enjoyed at almost any stage of the meal, as an aperitif, as a starter or with dessert. Finally, the ideal marriage is to associate a local wine with a dish of the same geographical origin.
Another essential criterion for the choice of your white wine: the label. A very important rule: always buy a wine where the name of the producer, the words "on the estate" or "bottled on the property" are clearly defined on the label. Then, a wine coming from a "Grand Cru" or a "Premier Cru" is often synonymous of quality. The AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée - French appellation) and AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée - European appellation) labels also guarantee top quality products. Finally, the vintage can also be a determining factor. Take a look at the wine guide to recognize the most remarkable years of production (examples: 2005, 2009, 2010, etc.).
Before choosing your wine, it is also useful to determine if your product will be consumed immediately or if you plan to age it for a number of years in your cellar. Soft, not very powerful wines with a fruity flavor, such as certain Burgundy whites, for example, are best consumed young. On the other hand, wines with high acidity and high tannin and polyphenol content will improve with age. These factors can be proportional to the age of the vines as well as the qualification of "premier cru" or "grand cru". This is the case for Chablis Premier cru Mont de Milieu.
Knowing the grape varieties (displayed or not on the label) will make it easier for you to find the wine that best suits your tastes. For example, Chardonnay, which is the most famous of the white grape varieties, will produce a wine described as "fat" and smooth with exotic fruit flavors and mineral notes. Sauvignon Blanc will produce a fruity wine with natural acidity and citrus aromas, while Gewurztraminer will produce an explosion of aromatic flavors: gingerbread, exotic fruits, spices, rose, etc.
And remember that the same grape variety can give a different taste depending on the locality where the vines come from and the climate. For example, the limestone soils, characteristic of the northern region of Burgundy, produce wines with a strong mineral connotation. Chablis, which goes perfectly with grilled fish, is an example of a very mineral wine. On the other hand, southern Burgundy, with fatter soils, is home to dry whites with excellent roundness and brioche flavors, such as Mâcon.
Informing yourself about the type of wine will also help you in your choice. If you have a preference for a more pronounced sweet flavor, a sweet white wine is the beverage for you. Sweet wines have a less pronounced but still present sweetness. If, on the other hand, a good wine for you should have almost no sweetness, you should choose dry white wines. Finally, in the category of sparkling or effervescent wines, the classification also follows the residual sugar content: brut sparkling wine (low sugar content) and sweet sparkling wine much sweeter.
It is often considered as one of the best wines by connoisseurs but also by neophytes. Its sugar content does not exceed 2 g per liter. It is obtained by fermentation of ripe white grapes, not too ripe however, otherwise we risk not having the targeted quality. We can distinguish dry fruity white wines with a soft palate and fruit aromas, which are a perfect match for seafood. For example, the Mâcon Charnay is one of the best known dry whites.
The sweet white wine is a sweet wine, with a sugar concentration of about 10 to 45 g. This type of wine is obtained by processing slightly overripe white grapes. The choice of grape variety also plays a role: Sauvignon Blanc, for example, is selected for the production of a sweet white wine. This type of wine is ideal with foie gras and sweet cheeses and has a velvety note in the mouth. The sweet white wine from Château Rousseau in Bordeaux is in this category.
It is the type of white wine with the highest sugar content: over 45 g per liter. Because of this characteristic, a sweet white wine, with a sweeter flavor and higher alcohol content, most often accompanies a dessert. It has a syrupy texture and is obtained from over-ripe grapes with what is called "noble rot", i.e. on which a polyphagous fungus proliferates: botrytis cinerea. The "vin jaune", which is a particularity of the Jura, is an example of sweet white wine.
It is commonly called sparkling wine, but other appellations like effervescent wine or sparkling wine are also valid. It results from an overpressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) during fermentation. The famous Champagne, which is an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée), falls into this category. In fact, it is a style in its own right, with 7 sub-categories, ranging from Brut nature (less than or equal to 3g of sugar per liter) to Doux (greater than 50g of sugar per liter) depending on the residual sugar level.
Compared to red wine, white wine is obtained from the alcoholic fermentation of grapes with uncolored pulp, with a white or black skin. It has a characteristically fresher and fruitier flavor. In addition, white wine offers a wider range of choices in terms of type: dry (almost no residual sugar), sweet (sweeter), syrupy (with a pronounced sweet taste), sparkling (Champagne and other types of sparkling wines). White wine is associated with white meat, aperitifs, cheese and desserts.
Red wine is the result of the fermentation of grapes with colored pulp and therefore has a red color. It is characterized by a higher tannin content compared to white wine. It offers a much more pronounced astringent character in the mouth with a more complex aromatic bouquet. Moreover, it has a much more interesting ageing potential compared to white wine, which allows you to obtain an exceptional wine after many years of ageing in the cellar.
If you are looking for a fresh and fruity wine to pair with white meats, desserts or cheeses, a white wine is ideal. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more astringent wine, to be paired with red meats and with a longer aging potential, choose a red wine.
It goes well with many types of food
Many dishes are best enjoyed with white wine, such as shellfish, cheese, fish, other white meats, appetizers and various types of desserts. If there are types of white wine to be associated with specific dishes, it is also easy to find a white wine to enjoy at any time of the meal. And it can also be used as a base for exceptional cocktails.
It is an essential ingredient for a large number of recipes
Many French or overseas culinary specialties require the addition of white wine. This is the case, for example, with exquisite white butter sauces that accompany fish or mushroom sauces. White wine also enhances onion casseroles and terrines when mixed with a fish fillet. It is also an essential ingredient for Savoyard fondues.
It offers a fresh and fruity flavor
White wine is also appreciated for its freshness as well as for its aromatic bouquet rich in fruity and floral notes. Apricot, peach, pear, lychee, pineapple, tropical and exotic fruits, roses, white flowers, the palette of aromas can be immensely rich depending on the grape variety and the terroir. Some white wines also offer notes of natural honey, spices or brioche flavors.
It is recognized as having many health benefits
With 55 Kcal/100 g, dry white wine helps to keep a good figure. It can thus become your best ally for an effective weight loss. Lighter, it is more digestible and causes little bloating or unpleasant consequences the day after a drunken party. It is also an excellent antioxidant, which means that it slows down the aging of cells and can prevent cancer. Finally, with a high content of essential minerals, it boosts brain function and bone calcification. To be consumed in moderation however!
It is less rich in alcohol
With much less alcohol in its composition, white wine is more appreciated by lovers of softer drinks. The content rarely exceeds 14% by volume. And you can even find alcohol-free white wines that are gaining more and more followers.
In our opinion, the best brands of white wines in 2022 are :
It is one of the most prestigious estates on the right bank of the Bordeaux region. It benefits from a unique terroir of exceptional richness, with soils of clay and gravel, which extends over 39 hectares. The vineyards have an average age of 42 years. This estate produces very high quality white wine.
The Château d'Yquem has built a solid reputation among the best white wine estates during its 400 years of existence. It benefits from a unique microclimate and excels in the production of exceptional Sauternes, with a harmonious aromatic expression.
This estate is undoubtedly one of the most illustrious viticultural references of the Médoc. It is located on a privileged terroir and shows a remarkable know-how in the art of wine making. Château Margaux has been producing wines of rare quality since the 17th century.
La maison Ca'del Bosco is a world famous estate located in the north of Italy. It produces the most prestigious white wines of the country, which are the pride of Italian gastronomy.
The Bouchard Père & Fils domain is a flagship house and one of the oldest in Burgundy. It has built an iron reputation in the production of 100% Chardonnay-based wines.
With some 73 hectares of vineyards, the Joseph Drouhin estate is one of the references in white wine in Burgundy. It produces prestigious wines such as Chablis grand cru and AOC Mâcon-Bruissières les Clos.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
To store white wine properly
White wine is best stored in a cellar, or in a dark place at a temperature between 10°C and 14°C. However, it is important to ensure that there are not too many variations in temperature. But first check that your wine is suitable for aging if you plan to keep it for a few years. Otherwise, it should be consumed immediately. If you don't have a cellar, you can always keep it in the refrigerator.
To keep an opened bottle
The golden rule is to get rid of the air contained in the bottle that is conducive to the oxidation of the wine and therefore to its deterioration. The golden rule is to get rid of the air in the bottle, which can cause the wine to oxidize and spoil. You can transfer the wine to a smaller glass container (cleaned beforehand) and seal it tightly or use a cork with a pump to evacuate the air in the container. Then put the wine in the refrigerator and consume it within 3 days for dry whites and 10 days for sweet wines. For sparkling wines, always opt for well adapted corks to maintain their effervescence.
To consume white wine at its best
Contrary to red wines, white wine should be drunk chilled, ideally at a temperature of around 10°C. The subtlety of the aromas (fruity, floral, mineral) as well as the delicacy of the fragrances can be felt if it is drunk chilled. And the acidity is enhanced at this temperature. So, take it out of the refrigerator just before serving it to your guests.
To make exceptional omelets
If you want to make omelets as soft as you like, add sparkling wine to the eggs. The ratio is 1 tablespoon of wine to 2 eggs. The wine should be added while you are beating the eggs. This is a simple but exquisite recipe that almost everyone likes.
To succeed with dishes simmered in white wine
Before using white wine to prepare your dishes, it is advisable to let it come to room temperature for a few minutes. If you use it too cool, there may be unexpected consequences on the recipe such as flavor changes and it may also change the cooking parameters.
Dry white wine is the most commonly used in cooking. Sweet and syrupy whites, because of their high sugar content, change the cooking parameters as well as the flavor. As for the grape variety, chardonnay, sauvignon, muscat, pinot or riesling (being a very mineral Alsace wine) lend themselves wonderfully to cooking.
Dry white wine is the ideal drink to sublimate a raclette. However, the wine must be round enough to bring out the fat of the cheese. For example, a dry white wine from Burgundy, with a full mouthfeel, very fresh and with moderate acidity is the perfect companion for a raclette. A white wine from Bordeaux Graves or Pessac-Léognan will also do very well. Gourmets also recommend combining specialties and local wines. For example, you can enjoy your raclette with a Savoyard or Swiss wine.
If you don't have a white wine on hand, you can always replace it with cider vinegar, which is the best substitute (in terms of taste and health benefits) or with white vinegar. White vinegar comes from white wine anyway. To reduce the acidity, add a little water. You can also use apple juice or white grape juice, this time mixed with a little vinegar or lemon juice.
To make a successful recipe for mussels marinara, a dry, mineral white wine with a slight fruity note is the ideal ingredient. For example, choose a Sauvignon Blanc that has a "gunflint" aroma (a highly sought-after mineral taste), a Sancerre, or a white Touraine. But if you opt for a spicier mussel recipe, choose a milder white such as a Condrieu demi-sec or a Vouvray demi-sec.
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