White grape varieties explained: from Riesling to Chenin Blanc
By OnlyWines editorial team
White wine tastes above all of the grape it is made from. Riesling is aromatic and fresh, Pinot Grigio light and neutral, Grüner Veltliner spicy, Chenin Blanc versatile and Viognier round and floral. Not sure what you like yet? Start with a style (fresh, aromatic or full) and find the grape that matches.
In this article
With red wine you may already know Merlot and Malbec, as you can read in our article on the most popular red grape varieties. With white wine the range is just as rich, but less familiar. This is your overview, with enough depth for anyone who already tastes a little more.
The six white grapes at a glance
Riesling
Flavour: Lime, green apple, peach
Style: Fresh, aromatic, dry to sweet
Pairs with: Spicy food, fish, soft cheeses
Pinot Grigio
Flavour: Pear, citrus, almond
Style: Light and dry
Pairs with: Aperitif, salad, light pasta
Grüner Veltliner
Flavour: White pepper, green pod, citrus
Style: Fresh and spicy
Pairs with: Vegetables, asparagus, schnitzel
Chenin Blanc
Flavour: Apple, quince, honey
Style: Versatile, dry to sweet
Pairs with: Chicken, fish in cream sauce, hard cheese
Viognier
Flavour: Apricot, peach, blossom
Style: Full and soft
Pairs with: Chicken, curry, rich fish
Albariño
Flavour: Citrus, saline, ripe apple
Style: Fresh and saline
Pairs with: Shellfish, sushi
Choose by style rather than by name
Fresh and dry
Pinot Grigio, Albariño and Grüner Veltliner. Ideal as an aperitif or with a light meal.
Aromatic and fragrant
Riesling and Viognier. You smell plenty of fruit and flowers before you taste.
Versatile
Chenin Blanc. Depending on the maker, dry, round or sweet, so always read the label.
Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are the two best-known white grapes. We compare Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in detail.
Riesling: aroma and tension
Riesling grows mainly in cool regions such as Germany's Mosel, Alsace and Austria. High acidity gives tension and a long life. If the label says trocken, the wine is dry. Kabinett or Spätlese usually has some residual sugar. Older Riesling can smell of petrol. For connoisseurs, that is a sign of maturity.
Pinot Grigio: light and easy
Italian Pinot Grigio from Veneto and Friuli is light, dry and neutral. That makes it a safe choice for a group. In Alsace the same grape is called Pinot Gris, and it is made into a richer wine, with ripe fruit and sometimes a hint of smoke.
Grüner Veltliner: the Austrian specialist
This grape gives fresh wines with a spicy finish, often with white pepper. They pair with asparagus and artichoke, and also with a crisp schnitzel.
Chenin Blanc: the chameleon
In the Loire (Vouvray, Savennières) and in South Africa, Chenin Blanc is made in every style. The grape has plenty of acidity and smells of apple, quince and honey. A dry Chenin is an excellent match for chicken and fish in cream sauce.
Full and soft
Viognier
Viognier comes from the Rhône and gives full, soft wines with apricot and blossom. Acidity is low, so the wine feels round.
Albariño from Rías Baixas in north-west Spain has a fresh, saline note and is a classic partner for shellfish.
The grape is only part of the story. Climate, soil and the maker do the rest.
The same grape, a different wine
A cool climate gives citrus and green apple, a warm climate peach and tropical fruit. Slate or limestone gives mineral notes. Ageing in steel, oak or sur lie makes the wine tighter or creamier. That is why a Chardonnay from Chablis tastes very different from one from California.
How to recognise a grape
Three signals in the glass
Smell first. Flowers and peach often point to Viognier or Riesling, green pod and pepper to Grüner Veltliner.
Water in your mouth after the first sip points to high acidity, as with Riesling or Albariño.
Light and neutral points to Pinot Grigio, full and creamy to Viognier or oak-aged wine.
Want to get to know your taste better? Take our taste profile and discover which white grape suits you.
Taste the difference
Four white grapes, four flavours
A Riesling, a Pinot Grigio, a Chenin Blanc and an Albariño or Grüner Veltliner from the current range.
Pinot GrigioPinot Gris - Domaine Edmond Rentz
Pinot Gris · Alsace
Light, dry and a safe choice for company.
Chenin BlancDavid Finlayson Camino Chenin Blanc old vine 2022
Chenin Blanc · Stellenbosch
Apple and honey, dry or round depending on the maker.
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All white winesFrequently asked questions
Which white grape is the driest?
Pinot Grigio, Albariño and Grüner Veltliner are usually dry and fresh. A Muscadet or a dry Sauvignon Blanc is almost always dry as well.
Is Riesling always sweet?
No. Riesling ranges from bone-dry to dessert-sweet. On German labels, trocken means dry. If in doubt, ask about the residual sugar.
Which white grape is like Chardonnay but fresher?
Chenin Blanc and Grüner Veltliner also give body, but with more acidity and a fresher finish.
Keep exploring the winewise guide
Filter by taste, region or grape and discover quality wines from independent merchants — or read on and learn how to choose your next bottle.
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