| Chardonnay. Pinot Gris. Riesling. Sure, they sound | | | | meats, mild cheeses and light to medium sauces. |
| fancy, but what do they actually mean? To | | | | Pinot Grigio |
| someone just getting introduced to the world of | | | | Pinot Grigio is Italy's most popular white wine and |
| wine, not much. Here are some wine selection tips | | | | is produced from the Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris |
| for five of the most popular white wines. | | | | grape. This light, crisp wine is grown in the |
| Chardonnay | | | | northeast region of Veneto and Friuli and is meant |
| Chardonnay is the number one selling wine in | | | | to be consumed early. Pinot Grigio is noted for |
| America and continues to gain in popularity as a | | | | having smooth, silky overtones which leave a |
| good dry white wine for the beginner. Part of it's | | | | distinct impression on the palate. It's flavors range |
| success is due to the fact that the Chardonnay | | | | from melon to pear with the occasional hint of |
| grape is a very low-maintenance vine that adapts | | | | tropical or citrus fruit. Pinot Grigio is a fairly acidic |
| easily to a variety of climates and results in high | | | | wine and is best served with light pastas, seafood |
| yields around the world. Because of it's | | | | and cheese and crackers. |
| tremendous production value, a good Chardonnay | | | | Riesling |
| can typically be found for around $10. | | | | Riesling wines originated in the Rhein and Mosel |
| Chardonnays can have a range of tones from | | | | river valleys of Germany, worked their way into |
| buttery oak to apple, pear, citrus and melon. This | | | | today's white wine market and spawned many |
| wine works well with poultry, pork, seafood and | | | | impostors. Only Johannisberg Riesling and White |
| many cream-based dishes. | | | | Riesling are considered "authentic" Rieslings as |
| Pinot Blanc | | | | they are they are the only varieties made from |
| Pinot Blanc is a medium-dry to dry white that hails | | | | the Riesling grape. This wine spans a wide range |
| from the Alsace region of France but is also | | | | of dry and sweet styles. Dry Rieslings are |
| grown in Germany, Italy and Hungary. It is a | | | | commonly labeled tocken while the sweeter |
| lighter flavored white wine with citrus, melon, | | | | varieties will say Auslese. Rieslings have fruity |
| pear, apricot and occasionally smokey or mineral | | | | aromas of apple, peach and pear with floral and |
| undertones depending upon the soil in which it is | | | | mineral undertones. They can stand up to spicy |
| grown. Because oak is not used in the maturation | | | | Asian foods and work well with appetizers, |
| process, Pinot Blanc is a lighter flavored white | | | | desserts, poultry, pork and fish. |
| wine which pairs nicely with seafood, light-flavored | | | | |