White wine – sunshine in a glass

Stimmungsvolles Bild mit einem Glas Weißwein vor einem sonnendurchfluteten Weinfeld

You always thought that white wine is made from white grapes and red wine from red grapes? In principle this is true, but there is also white wine from red grapes! You don't believe that? Then take a red grape berry, crush it gently and catch the drops in a glass. You will see that the juice of most red grapes is actually colourless and therefore white wine can be made from it. The pulp of grapes usually contains very little colouring. If you have become curious now and are looking for white wine made from red grapes, you will recognize it by its name. For example, it is called Blanc de Noir or Claret.

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Fresh and light white wine

White wine from red grapes is produced when the intact berries are gently pressed shortly after harvesting and the resulting must is immediately vinified. Of course, the same process is used when white wine is made from white, light yellow, yellow-green, green, grey and grey-red grapes. Fermentation for white wine takes place exclusively in the juice at 15 to 18 degrees. In contrast to red wine production, the mash, i.e. the grape skins and seeds, is not used in the production process of white wine. This is the only way a winemaker can achieve the straw-yellow to golden-yellow colour of white wine. The longer the fermentation lasts, the fresher and lighter the wine appears; conversely, the wine becomes stronger as the temperature rises.

White wine is grown in cool regions

White wine is produced in almost all wine-growing regions around the world. However, the growing regions are mostly located in cooler areas because white grape varieties need less heat and light than red ones to reach full ripeness. White grape varieties are also often harvested before they are ripe to ensure a sufficiently high acidity level. This is important to ensure that alcohol and sugar on the one hand and acidity on the other are in balance. In short, light-coloured grapes grown in cool areas produce sparkling, aromatic wines. If they are grown in warmer regions, however, they usually quickly lack the necessary acidity, resulting in flat wines that lack fresh aromas.

A wide variety of white wines

The wide variety of white wines results from the interplay of the available grape varieties, various different production methods and residual sugar contents. Four of the most important white grape varieties grown in Portugal's vineyards are Alvarinho, Arinto/Pedernã, Encruzado and Fernão Pires/Maria Gomes. In addition, there are a large number of indigenous grape varieties, i.e. those that only grow in Portugal and are mainly found in cuvées. In South Africa, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc grapes are mainly grown for white wine production. Other important approved grape varieties include Sultana, Cape Riesling, Clairette Blanche and Colombard. Most of these are grown in the South African wine regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Elgin and Robertson.

Full-bodied whites with strong aromas

Light white wines usually have a dry and refreshingly tart taste. They should be drunk young, when they still have maximum acidity and strong fruitiness. A crisp, aromatic white wine with a light mousse is produced, for example, from the Portuguese Alvarinho grape. Full-bodied white wines, which are prized for their strong aromas, are often aged in oak barrels, which gives them smooth cream, vanilla and butter notes. South African winemakers produce excellent full-bodied wines from Chardonnay grapes. The basis for aromatic, dry to sweet white wines with fruity-sweet aromas includes Chenin Blanc grapes in South Africa and Muscat Blanc in Portugal.

Dry white wines from the Mediterranean

In Europe, white grape varieties account for more than 50 per cent of wine production. They are mainly grown in cooler regions to ensure sufficiently high acidity. However, white grape varieties are also found in South Africa and Portugal. Portuguese white wine grapes are mainly grown in the Vinho Verde region in the mountainous north, where the climate is harsher. The old Arinto grape variety is a special white grape. It thrives in cool conditions as well as in hot conditions and is therefore also grown in the Bucelas region north of Lisbon. In the warm areas around the Mediterranean, dry white wines are produced, but also natural or fortified white wines such as port or Madeira. Depending on the planned end product, the grapes remain on the vine for different lengths of time.

Maritime climate for South African quality white wines

South Africa's wine-growing regions are located between 31 and 34 degrees south latitude, near the southern tropic. It is actually too warm for wine growing there. However, near the south-western coast, the influence of the Benguela Current, a cool ocean current coming from Antarctica, is clearly noticeable. Its effect creates a temperate maritime climate in the wine-growing regions, which are mainly located in the Western Cape province, making them ideal for growing quality wines. White wine is grown in South Africa's Western Cape in four regions, which are divided into 20 districts and 60 wards. There is one ward and three districts in the Northern Cape. The grape harvest takes place between February and April.

Grapes for sweet dessert wines ripen longer

A high must weight is important for sweet dessert wines, so the grapes ripen longer. These berries also play a special role during the harvest. Since full ripeness does not occur evenly on the vine, individual grapes or berries are often harvested in several passes in what is known as Auslese. The variety of wines with residual sweetness and noble sweetness is enormous, ranging from white wines with a few grams of residual sugar to only slightly fermented, noble sweet top wines such as Trockenbeerenauslesen. The high natural sugar content comes exclusively from the grape.

White wines and complementary dishes

Of course, you can simply enjoy a glass of white wine with friends. White wine is always a pleasure, whether young or mature. Combine it with food to create completely new taste experiences. Aromatic and heavy white wines go well with cheese, while light white wines also complement vegetable or risotto dishes. Try it with chicken dishes, scallops or a veal menu. Sweet white wine is a special accompaniment to white fish and curry dishes.