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Types of White Wine

With so many different types of white wine from which to choose, you might have a difficult time deciding the types that are the best. While numerous options are available, some of the most popular vintages include:

  • Chardonnay
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Moscato
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Riesling

Here’s a look at each of these varietals, along with some ONEHOPE selections to try out as well!

Chardonnay

Cabernet Sauvignon might be considered the superstar of red grapes, but Chardonnay definitely is one of the most popular white wines in the world. Chardonnay is presented in several styles of wine, from bone dry, high mineral, citrus, and green apple, to ripe, with baked apple pie flavors and buttered popcorn aromas. Often aged in either new or old oak barrels, there also are several examples of stainless steel-aged Chardonnay wines that are high in acid. Chardonnay pairs well with white fish, grilled poultry, fruits, and cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, and Roquefort.

ONEHOPE picks: ONEHOPE has collaborated with fourth-generation winemaker Rob Mondavi Jr. to create a high-quality Chardonnay hand-crafted with a blend of grapes from select vineyards throughout Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Coast of California. Our award-winning California Chardonnay is blended with Muscat and Chenin Blanc, displaying a pale gold color with aromas of fresh apple blossom and honeysuckle. Flavors of crisp pear and apple are vibrant on the palate, along with a balanced oak and bright acidity.

 

Sauvignon Blanc

This is one of the oldest and best white wine grape varieties. The flavor of Sauvignon Blanc is different than most whites because it has subtle herb notes. A less-ripe Sauvignon Blanc grown in a cool climate might have strong flavors of limes and green apples, while a Sauvignon Blanc made in warmer climates using riper grapes will have stronger peach and passion fruit flavors. Beneath those primary tastes are hints of gooseberries, grass, jalapenos, and bell peppers. This wine has a medium to medium-high acidity, and it contains pyrazines—special aromatic compounds that give it its rich flavors. It tends to be a fairly dry white that goes well with creamy and buttery dishes, crab, lobster, and white meats such as pork and poultry.

ONEHOPE picks: Try our California Sauvignon Blanc. Aged in stainless steel, the fermentation bouquet expresses rich lilac and sun baked straw. Enticing flavors of fresh squeezed lime introduce a touch of minerality.

 

Moscato or Muscat

If you’ve never tasted a sweet and flavorful Moscato wine, then you’re definitely missing out! In fact, Moscato is rapidly increasing in popularity, accounting for 6 percent of all current U.S. wine sales, according to the Wine Institute. This fragrant dessert wine can be produced as either a sweet, semi-sparkling wine or a sweet still wine, with flavors ranging from peaches, lemons, oranges, apricots, and nectarines to vanilla bean, caramel, rose, and jasmine. Both varieties are great served chilled on their own or as a refreshing summertime wine. They pair well with lighter Thai dishes or other spicy dishes (as the sweetness offsets some of the spiciness), along with light or mild fruit or creamy desserts, blue or cheddar cheese, biscotti, fois gras, nuts, pannetone, meringues, souffles, berries, and even chocolate.

ONEHOPE picks: For a delightful wine that’s sweet by design, try our 2015 Monterey Muscat Canelli. Ideal for dessert—but also perfect anytime—this sweet vino is accented by a fruit-forward blend of orange and peach blossoms, lemon drops, white peach, and lemon zest.

 

Pinot Grigio

This medium-bodied and mildly acidic wine has a yellow to copper-pink color, and it gives off a floral bouquet of melon, Asian pear, or apple. This wine pairs well with harder, stronger cheeses such as parmesan and asiago, as well as seafood, and white meats including pork, chicken and turkey.

ONEHOPE picks: Our 2015 Paso Robles Pinot Grigio delights with flavors of crushed stone, celery leaf, passion fruit, and yellow mango. It was fermented in stainless steel, with no oak exposure.

 

Riesling

This is among the most aromatic white grape varieties, with heavy fruit aromas of pear, honey-crisp apple, nectarine, and peach, along with subtle hints of honeycomb or petrol as the wine ages. This wine comes in all styles, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, making it ideal for pairing with duck, pork, crab, Asian cuisine, spicy Indian food, and roasted and naturally sweet vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and squash.

ONEHOPE picks: Be sure to try our 2015 Monterey Riesling, a delightfully sweet wine that leads with aromas of honeysuckle flower and peach blossom. A distinctly fruity flavor profile is punctuated with notes of mango, preserved Meyer lemon, white peach, white pear, sweet ginger, and ripe kiwi.

Featured Image via: http://www.trippin-thru-california.com/Chardonnay.html

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