Chardonnay

Known as the Winemaker's grape due to the myriad of styles that can be created under guidance, Chardonnay is one of the most popular white wines in the world. A classic variety in the wines of Champagne, Chablis, Burgundy, and Northern California, 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.

Chardonnay is often aged in either new or old oak barrels, and several examples exist of stainless steel aged Chardonnay wines that are high in acid such as in Chablis and Blanc de Blancs Champagne. Chardonnay pairs well with white fish, grilled poultry, fruits, and cheeses such as brie, camembert and Roquefort.

Riesling

A classic white wine variety, most well known for the light bodied, off dry, high acid wines of the Mosel in Germany. Classic Riesling aromas and flavors include intense notes of peach, apricot and citrus in addition to white floral notes and high minerality in old world wines.

Often described as a petrol or marmalade note, Riesling is distinct in its character when presented in sweet, off dry, and bone dry styles alike. Regardless of the area of production, Riesling is almost never aged in oak barrels.

Rieslings pair well with many different foods including game foul, Asian, Indian, and Mexican cuisine as the acidity does a lot to help break down the heat.

Sauvignon Blanc

The Loire Valley of France is home to this classic white variety, with significant plantings found in New Zealand and California and Bordeaux where it is often blended with Semillon and Muscadelle.

Noted for an intense character of herbaceousness and citrus overtones, Sauvignon Blanc can be intensely aromatic in warmer vintages in the Loire Valley, but can typically be identified from its New World counterparts by showing significant amounts of minerality.

When encountered in Bordeaux, the citrus character of Sauvignon Blanc is often balanced by the waxy peach and apricot notes from Semillon.

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is often more expressive in the citrus and green herb character it shows, often noted by ruby red grapefruit character and fresh cilantro.

Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with creamy/buttery meals, shellfish, crab, lobster as well as white meats including pork and poultry.

Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris is thought to have originated from the Burgundy region in the Middle Ages and according to DNA research by scientists at UC Davis, is remarkably similar to Pinot Noir. Major regions where Pinot Gris are grown include Alsace (France), Australia, Italy, Ukraine, Chile, California, Oregon and Washington State.

Pinot Gris is a medium bodied and acidity wine with mid-level acidity, yellow to copper-pink in color with a floral bouquet of melon, Asian pear or apple.

Most often it is immediately available after bottling because very few Pinot Gris productions improving with age, with exception of the Alsacian Pinot Gris.

Pinot Gris pairs well with harder, stronger cheeses such as parmesan, asiago pasta dishes, as well as white meats including pork chops, chicken dishes.

Chenin Blanc

A white wine from the Loire Valley that has seen cultivation expand to other New World countries including South Africa, Australia, Spain, and spread out over 12-15 states across the U.S. This varietal, when produced in a dry style is typically higher in acidity and thus requires smaller yields in the vineyard, and is harvested late in the year (also widely produced as a sweet wine).

You will find notes of green apple, quince and mineral or a chalkiness that can be oak aged to bring out a buttery, nutty flavor. Often blended with small amounts of chardonnay and sauvignon blanc (less than 20% blend), this dry chenin blanc wine pairs exceptionally well with salads, fish and chicken.

Muscat

Also known as Moscato, Muscatel or Muscadel and grown in many countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, and smaller countries like Greece, Moldova, Lebanon and Slovenia to name a few. Served as a sweet, sparkling and sweet still wine, the grape will range in color from white to black.

Muscat grapes are high in sugars, flavonoids (antioxidants) and are used in edible grapes, raisins. When produced as a dry white wine, Muscat is high in acidity that reveals orange blossoms, lemon-lime, grapefruit and citron in the nose, but on the palate it is crisp, tart, dry and refreshing. Dry muscat is a perfect aperitif or cheese wine.