Easy to drink and light, dry white wine is often very popular, whether as an aperitif or during a meal. But do you know what the characteristics of this type of wine are, and what distinguishes it from sweet wine and other wines? To enlighten you, discover the secrets of dry white wines , and how to choose them wisely.
Dry white wine: definition
A dry white wine, unlike sweet wine or sweet wine , is a wine that has a very low sugar content . To be classified in the dry wine category, white wine must therefore contain less than 2 grams of residual sugar per liter (sweet whites can exceed 45 grams per liter).
To obtain such a low sugar content, the grapes are placed in alcoholic fermentation for longer, until all of the sugars are transformed into alcohol. The objective is then to obtain a fresh and thirst-quenching white wine.
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Vinification of dry white wine
The production of dry white wines begins in the vineyards. If we are trying to produce a wine with little sugar, logically, the winemaker must first select a white grape variety which, by nature, does not contain a lot of sugar. The ideal is not to harvest too late, because once they reach maturity, the grapes continue to fill up with sugar.
After the harvest, the bunches of grapes are pressed and the grape juice is placed in fermentation vats. The yeasts, naturally present in the grapes, will then transform the sugars into alcohol , until the sugars completely disappear.
The winemaker is then free to age his white wine in barrels or vats, in order to provide it with the desired organoleptic characteristics.
Although the method of making dry white wines is always the same, we nevertheless obtain very varied vintages, depending on the grape varieties, the wine-growing regions, or even the vintages.
Dry white wines: the main grape varieties used
Each grape variety brings unique characteristics to the wine. Thus, depending on the winemaker's expectations, the choice of grape variety may vary. Generally speaking, the least sweet grape varieties are grown in cold regions, unlike sunny production areas, where the heat quickly pushes the grapes to maturity.
Thus, the white grape varieties most used to make dry white wines are:
- Chardonnay , which produces buttery, rich wines;
- Sauvignon blanc , which offers citrus aromas;
- Riesling , which brings fruit aromas, floral notes and mineral aromas;
- Chenin blanc , which is distinguished by its aromas of green apple and honey;
- Viognier , which produces wines with floral aromas;
- Pinot gris , which offers aromas of white flowers and grapes;
- Pinot blanc , which brings fruity notes of peach and apple...
The southern regions of France can also produce excellent dry white wines from grape varieties with low sugar levels, such as Ugni Blanc, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Rolle or Clairette.
The ideal serving temperature for dry white wine
For a perfect tasting of a good bottle of dry white wine, you must ensure that you reach the ideal serving temperature . In general, this type of wine should be served at a temperature between 8 and 12°C , but this also depends on the grape variety and style of the wine.
Fresh, light white wines, based on Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc, for example, are best enjoyed cooler, between 8 and 10°C. On the other hand, more complex whites, such as Riesling, Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc, are best served at a slightly higher temperature, between 10 and 12°C.
A wine that is too cool could deaden the aromas, and leave you with a very disappointing feeling of blandness. Conversely, a wine that is too hot can weigh down the aromas, making them aggressive and not very elegant.
The best food and dry white wine pairings
As with red wines and rosé wines, it is then the food and wine pairing that will determine the quality of your tasting. You must be able to find the best combination so that the wine enhances the dish, and vice versa, in a beautiful balance of flavors and sensations. Here are some dishes to eat with a dry white wine that will never fail you:
- Seafood (oysters, lobster, shrimp, langoustine, etc.);
- Fish (salmon, sea bass, etc.);
- White meats (chicken, turkey, etc.);
- Salads (mixed salad, tomato salad, etc.);
- Asian cuisine (sushi, spring roll, pork with caramel, etc.);
- Mediterranean cuisine (Greek cuisine, Italian cuisine, etc.);
- Cheese (goat cheeses, soft cheeses, etc.);
- Spicy dishes (Indian cuisine, Thai cuisine, etc.);
- Aperitifs (appetizers, tapenade, olives...).
Finally, dry white wines can accompany you throughout the meal and go well with most recipes. It's an easy-drinking wine, so it's easy to offer dry white wine when invited.
Sweet white wine and dry white wine: what are the differences?
When we want to buy a white wine , we often hear about sweet wines, sweet wines, dry wines, or even semi-dry wines. More rarely, we refer to sweet wines . Finally, the sweet wine category includes all wines sweeter than dry and semi-dry wines. Thus, sweet and sweet wines are sweet wines.
To be more precise, a dry white wine contains less than 2 grams of residual sugars per liter of wine, while:
- Sweet wines have a sugar content of between 10 and 45 grams of sugar;
- Sweet wines have a sugar content greater than 45 grams.
From 2 to 10 grams, wines are classified as semi-dry wines.
Do you like to enjoy a nice little glass of white wine as an aperitif, or during your meal? Not very sweet and very fresh, dry white wine is ideal to accompany you and refresh you. Don't hesitate to discover the dry white wine vintages from the Domaine de Berne , and discover all the freshness of the Provençal terroir.
