- Last updated on October 28, 2022
Wondering which are 4 of the most popular white grapes? Keep reading you’ll find your answers!
Let’s start by saying that these white grapes are Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio/Pinor Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.
Of course there are many more and we’ll go through them on other articles. These represents a great starting point as you’ll see you’ll have plenty to discover.
Each of these 4 grapes produces a variety of wine styles with their unique flavors and characteristics.
Take Riesling for example which produces wines across all sweetness level.
We’ll provide below an overview for each of them along with food pairings, best wines recommendation, and a link to our deep dives if you want more details.
In this way you’ll you have all the relevant info readily available to go and pick your fav wine.
Keep reading if you want to find out:
White Grapes - Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world. Depending on the style it can be light, fresh, and crisp if unoaked or rich, buttery and full-bodied if oaked.
Typical flavors for unoaked Chardonnay are lemon zest, peach, honeysuckle, and green fruit or tropical fruit depending on the ripeness.
Unoaked Chardonnay pairs well with salad, veggie risotto, paté, chicken, shellfish, sushi. Cheese wise go with fresh cheese like goat cheese.
For unoaked Chardonnay we recommend Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc – Viognier 2020.
Typical flavors for oaked Chardonnay are butter, vanilla, spice, apple, chalk, and citrus fruit for cool climates or tropical fruit for warm climates.
Oaked Chardonnay can be paired with bolder flavors like prosciutto crudo, pumpkin, pork, grilled meat, roast chicken, grilled fish, smoked salmon, and crab cakes.
For oaked Chardonnay our best value bottle is Régnard Grand Régnard Chablis 2019.
If you are a bubble lover, be aware that Chardonnay is also used to produce dry sparkling Blanc de Blancs.
Jasmine, brioche, toast, apple, lemon, peach are some of the most common notes you should expect from it, a long with high acidity and light body.
Typical food pairing are shellfish, grilled fish, fish and chips, chicken, salads and creamy cheese like Brie.
For sparkling Blanc de Blancs we recommend Ferrari Perlé 2015.
Find out more about Chardonnay.
White Grapes - Riesling
White Grapes - Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris is a popular and affordable white wine. It also comes in a Rosé version.
Although Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are made from the same grape, the taste profile is quite different.
Pinot Grigio it’s known for its dryness, high acidity, light-body, lemon, and apple notes. It’s perfect for a hot summer day and it’s very easy to drink.
It pairs very well with salty foods like French fries and salty olives. Go for white meat and shellfish and soft cheese or light cream cheese like Brie.
Pinot Gris, from Alsace in France, on the other hand, has more body, lower acidity, more complexity with honey and ginger notes, and is sweeter than Pinot Grigio.
It’s more of a whole year round-wine.
It pairs well with foie gras, cream sources, white meat, pork, and Gorgonzola or Pecorino cheese for example.
Our best value bottle selection for you is Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio.
If you are after the best overall bottle, our recommendation is Vie di Romans Dessimis Pinot Grigio 2019.
Find out more about Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris.
White Grapes - Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular and affordable white wines in the world.
It’s known for its high acidity, fruity notes of peach, lime, and passion fruit depending on the style.
Like Pinot Grigio and Unoaked Chardonnay, it’s the perfect wine for a hot summer day.
Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with Brussel sprouts, asparagus, salad, white meat like chicken and turkey, and various fish and shellfish including sushi.
Cheese wise go for soft and cream cheese like Philadelphia and brie for example.
Our best value bottle selection for you is Domaine du Salvard Cheverny Blanc 2020.
Find more about Sauvignon Blanc.
Are white grapes used for Rosé?
Yes they are! Pinot Grigio Rosé is a typical example
Pinot Grigio Rosé it’s known for its dryness, medium-high acidity, medium-light, and red fruit notes.
Ramato is a famous Pinot Grigio Rosé style and one of my favorites too.
Like Pinot Grigio, a hot summer day is a perfect excuse to have your glass of Rosé.
It pairs well with San Daniele ham [1], white meat, shellfish, and fresh cheese like Feta for example.
What are the top 10 most widely planted white grapes?
According to this study [2] the top 10 most widely planted white grapes are:
- Airén
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Trebbiano Toscano
- Riesling
- Rkatsiteli
- Macabeo
- Cayetana Blanca
- Muscat of Alexandria
- Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
In conclusion
Which are 4 of the most popular white grapes? By now, you should be able to properly answer.
As we’ve seen above, 4 of the most popular white grapes are Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio/Pinor Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.
Pinot Grigio is also used to produce Pinot Grigio Rosé despite being a white grape.
Despite these 4 being amongst the most popular white grapes they are not necessarily the most widely planted in the world.
Above we have already provided you with some recommendations about great bottles.
Are you after some more? Check out our best wines recommendations for you wines.
