There are so many different types of wine out there, from bubbly to red, white, rosé, and more. While some tastes are universal, others are more specific to location, time of day, and variety of grapes. Luckily, you don’t have to be a wine expert to know how to drink white wine.
Whether you’re a wine aficionado or a casual drinker looking to expand your wine horizons, you’ve probably heard that white wine is the best choice for sipping. In fact, with a little preparation and common sense, you can enjoy this crisp and refreshing beverage on almost any occasion. This blog post will find everything you need to know about drinking wine, from the basics to advanced tips.
What is White Wine
White wine is made from any variety of grape that does not produce dark-colored red wine grapes. While red wine grapes are often used for red wine, white wine grapes produce lighter-colored white wine. Red wine grapes include Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
White wine grapes include Riesling, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc. White wine is made when the grapes are fermented and then only partially pressed to release the natural sugars in the grape. After the juices are extracted, they’re sent to be fermented again in barrels or stainless steel tanks to produce the oak notes often present in white wine.
The Basics Of Drinking White Wine
Sip it. In general, red wine is meant to be consumed with a meal; white wine made from white grapes is consumed on its own. You can sip white wine at any time, but red wine is best paired with a meal or snacks between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m.
Serve it chilled. So, here are the basics of drinking dry white wine effectively. Let’s take it step by step.
Have Your White Wine Chill For 30-45 Minutes
If you’re planning to serve your white wine chilled, you’ll want to have it ready at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes to allow the wine to chill down. You aren’t doing this to make your wine taste colder, but instead to give the wine time to chill from above room temperature down to the desired temperature. While waiting for your wine to chill, you can also prepare your food to go with your wine. If you’re planning to serve food, make sure it’s at the right temperature and that you’ve chilled the serving plates.
This is different for red wines like pinot noir.
Serve White Wine The Right Way
A glass of white wine is a great beverage for many occasions, but you must serve the wine correctly. The most common mistake people make with white wine is to pour it into the glass upside down. When you do this, it’s like pouring a glass of dry wine into a glass of water. This can leave your white wine tasting sour and completely ruins any enjoyment you may have had from drinking white wine.
Always pour your white wine into the glass at an angle so that the liquid will flow easily down the side of the glass and into the mouth. You should never pour your white wine straight from a bottle or a carafe because this will allow air to contact the liquid, which will ruin its flavor and cause it to spoil faster than normal. If you decide to use a carafe, make sure it’s sealed before pouring your white wine so that no air gets mixed in with its contents.
Pair A glass of Wine With The Right Meal
The best pairings for red wine include:
- Red meat: Thanks to red wine’s high tannin and polyphenol content, it works wonders with grilled and smoked meats. Beef and game meats also benefit from the bold red flavors.
- Red fruits: Red fruit-flavored wines, like reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot, are best with steak and game meats.
- White fruits: Riesling, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc wines are best with white fish.
- Veggies: A big plus of white wine goes well with many vegetables, including beans, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, and summer squash.
For whatever meal you choose, ensure to enjoy your glass of wine to the last drop. This will make your dinner more pleasurable and help you experience the full flavor of the wine.
Tips For Better White Wine
We may have said almost everything, but some things need to be emphasized for beginners and pro-white wine sippers.
All-time keep it chilled. The best way to keep your white wine chilled is to set your wine glass on a table and make sure the lights are dimmed. If possible, have a separate ice bucket for your wine glasses, so they’re always kept chilled.
Ensure to keep a wine aerator in your fridge. If your fridge is too warm, the wine in the bottles will warm up too quickly. This can cause the wine to spoil, so what should you do? Keep a wine aerator in your fridge to help keep the wine fresh.
What Are The Best White Wines To Drink?
Now that you already know how to drink white wine, let’s look at some of the best white wine worth trying.
Riesling: There’s a reason this German grape variety is synonymous with white wine: It’s delicious. Riesling wines are often crisp and refreshing, with flavors of spring flowers, green apples, and honey.
Pinot Gris: This grape makes up half of the world’s Pinot Gris, a white wine grape often sun-drenched and full-bodied.
Gewurztraminer: This grape variety is unique to Oregon for the North American continent. You can find it in Germany, Austria and Alsace, too. It often produces fruity, complex wines that pair well with Asian cuisine
How To Choose The Right Red Wine?
There are a few things to consider;
Look for fruity flavors. The best red wines have a fruity, vibrant flavor profile with strong flavors like red fruit, spice, and oak. Try to stay away from wines with a too rosy, too sweet, or too jammy flavor profile.
Check on Citrus hints. Some of the best red wine grapes for pairing with citrus fruits include Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
Consider the alcohol content. The best red wine should be at least 13% alcohol by volume. This will ensure that you can enjoy a glass of red wine without tasting it too strongly.
Enjoying a White Wine
Sip your wine slowly. The best way to enjoy a white wine is to sip it at room temperature. If you’re planning to serve your wine chilled, try to serve it at room temperature. White wines can last for years when properly stored and handled, but it’s best to drink them.
Ensure to serve it with light food. White wines are often paired with light dishes, so they don’t need to be drowned in rich sauces or heavy meats. Instead, serve your wine with light foods like salads, fish, chicken, and pasta.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering what to drink at every social event, you’re lucky. White wine is the perfect drink for almost any occasion. From weddings and barbecues to glasses at the dinner table, white wine is the perfect beverage to accompany almost any type of food.
I have been to a good deal of wine tasting events and vineyards over the years, and have a great understanding of what makes a great wine. I decided to set up New Day Wine as a way to share my passion and enjoyment for wine with others.
Through this site, I hope to recommend some of the best types of wine on the market, covering a wide range of different options, and countries of origin. In addition to this, I will be discussing everything there is to know about wine, from how it is created, to the differences between each type.
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