About White Wines

White wines are those made from so-called "white" grapes, in which the skins have been removed form the juice before fermentation. This results in a white wine, yet the hue of a white wine ranges from straw to golden yellow and everything in between. As some grapes used for white wine have a pink or copper color (such as Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris, respectively), white wines made form these varieties will tend to have a copper or slight golden or silver color.

As white wines age, these color deepens; this is the opposite of red wines, which get paler with time. Thus a white wine that was straw-colored upon release (aged solely in steel or cement tanks) will have a deep yellow color after a few years. A white wine will also have a deeper color upon release, if it was made with skin contact or aged in small, toasted oak barrels.

White wines are produced in every wine-producing country and are generally the most consumed in every country. Famous examples include wines made from varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio), while there are indigenous varieties in many countries such as Marsanne and Roussanne (France), Greco, Fiano and Arneis (Italy) and Viura (Spain).

White wines tend to have lower alcohol than reds - from 8% for German whites to 13.5% or 14% for some examples of Chardonnay- as opposed to 12% -15.5% for reds. They should be serve chilled and are best paired with seafood, pastas with cream sauces and white meats.

Top Picks for White Wines

Berton Vineyards 2022 Metal Label Flavored Moscato Frizzanté Riverina
95 points
$13
Best Buy
A fascinating and delectable Moscato Frizzante with just a hint of extra floral lift and spiced complexity.
95 points $13 Best Buy
Wakefield 2022 Promised Land Chardonnay
95 points
$13
Best Buy
A New World under study well-suited to fill in for Village level white Bourgogne.
Awards: '2022 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 10 White Wine $15 and Under' Best Value Australian Chardonnay 2022 Best Chardonnay
95 points $13 Best Buy
Peller Estates 2021 Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
95 points
$10
Best Buy
A supple and satisfyingly fresh Sauvignon Blanc sipper with excellent varietal character.
95 points $10 Best Buy
Weis Vineyards 2020 Winzer Select A Riesling
95 points
$26
A rich, late harvest style Riesling with great concentration of attractive sweet fruit flavors; pair with spicy Asian dishes or cheeses for dessert.
Awards: '2022 New York Wine Classic - Best White Wine' Best Overall Riesling 2022 Best Riesling (Sweet)
Gooseneck Vineyards 2022  Chardonnay
94 points
$18
Best Buy
A pleasant Chardonnay with good fruit and structure balanced by just the right amount of aromatic lift from the Viognier.
94 points $18 Best Buy
Weis Vineyards 2021 Winzer Select A Riesling
94 points
$26
A rich, honeyed, unctuous Riesling with toothsome late harvest fruit flavors and bright acidity; this will be great with everything from cocktail hour to appetizers to desserts.
Awards: 2023 New York Wine Classic - Best Riesling (Sweet)
Chateau Fontaine 2021 Woodland White Auxerrois
94 points
$16
Best Buy
A delightfully tasty and tropical alternative to Riesling and Gewurztraminer that will excel with Asian fare.
Awards: 2023 Michigan Governor's Cup - Governor's Case Best White
94 points $16 Best Buy
12 E Mezzo 2021  Malvasia
94 points
$15
Best Buy
A lovely example of Malvasia with excellent fruit and floral elements that remains restrained from being overly perfumed.
94 points $15 Best Buy
King Estate 2021  Pinot Gris
94 points
$19
Best Buy
A delicious, benchmark example of Oregon Pinot Gris; bright and crisp, serve this with antipasto or shellfish.
94 points $19 Best Buy
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2021 Expedition Chardonnay
94 points
$15
Best Buy
A delightfully balanced and elegant Chardonnay that will be quite versatile, balancing New World tropical fruit and Old World acidity.
94 points $15 Best Buy