The Top 10 Things Everyone Should Know About White Wine

A sample imageA perennial favourite in the drinks stakes, white wine is a classic that will never go out of fashion. Whether you’re enjoying an interval drink while taking in a play at the theatre, unwinding with friends after a busy week at work or cooking up a storm in the kitchen, it’s beneficial to know your Chardonnays from your Pinot Grigios to ensure you get as much enjoyment as possible out of your chilled glass of white.

Here are 10 things everyone should know about white wine:

White wine can be served with red meat

It’s a popular assumption that red meat is best accompanied by red wine. However, white wine is a perfectly good choice if you’re having a fillet steak or a lamb shank, provided that you choose a good quality wine. Look for well-aged wines that have been stored for a long period of time, such as a Barolo, as the ageing process causes tannins to mature, preventing you from experiencing a dry, tobacco-like aftertaste.

It’s good to be different

Like most things in life, certain types of wine enjoy a period en vogue, but you don’t always have to go with the crowd. If you like something a little less fashionable, don’t worry about it.

Always use the full name when ordering:

There are hundreds, even thousands, of different types of white wine and they sometimes have similar names. Make sure you use the full name of the wine you want when ordering to avoid any confusion.

You can turn down a wine if you don’t like it or it is corked

Many people feel embarrassed about sending a wine back in a restaurant, but you’re paying good money for a product that should be good quality, so if you think it’s corked or don’t like the taste, don’t be afraid to ask for another bottle.

Most white wines are dry

There seems to be a myth that white wine is sweet and sickly, but actually, most white wines are classed as dry. If you’ve got horrible memories from drinking a thimble of sweet white wine with your dinner when you were little, you may be surprised just how different a good white wine tastes, so don’t be afraid to give white wine another chance.

Most wines are named after the region in which they are produced

Most wines are named after the vineyard they come from, the region of the country in which they are produced or the type of grape used.

Champagne is a specific type of wine

The term ‘champagne’ should not be used to describe all types of sparkling wine. It is a French wine made from chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes. Most commonly, champagne is confused with prosecco, a type of sparkling wine made from Glera grapes in Italian regions. Many people also confuse cava as a type of champagne, when it is actually a Spanish sparkling wine.

It’s usually better value to buy a bottle than a few glasses

In most establishments it works out cheaper to share a bottle than to buy a series of glasses.

It’s ok to ask for advice

If you don’t know a lot about wine, don’t feel embarrassed to ask for advice. The likelihood is that a waiter and certainly a sommelier will be able to recommend a perfect match for the meal you order.

White wine should always be chilled

Warm white wine is not pleasant. Always leave your wine to chill for at least a couple of hours before serving.