White wines are made from the grape juice and grape skin of green, gold or yellowish colored grapes or from just the juice (not the skin) of select red grapes (as in some Champagnes).

When To Drink White Wines

White wines are often consumed with lighter meals, think breakfast, lunch, smaller dinners, appetizers, or as an aperitif themselves. They are more refreshing, lighter in both style and taste than the majority of their red wine counterparts, making them ideal for spring and summer occasions. (I always drink white wine if it’s before noon). The old guideline of “white wine with white meat” still holds true in many instances, but there are plenty of exceptions and palate preferences that dictate which wines to pair with what foods.

White Wine Varietals

“The Big Eight” when it comes to white wine varietals are: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc (also called Fumé Blanc), Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio, Semillon, Viognier, and Chenin Blanc.