White wine – types, benefits and how we combine it correctly with food
White wine differs according to the grape variety from which it is made, but may also be classified according to the sugar concentration it contains.
- Six lesser-known things about white wine
- Types of white wine and the main grape varieties from which they are made
- How to consume white wine
Six lesser-known things about white wine
For high-quality grapes, from which to emerge the best white wine,vineyards must benefit from enough rainy days, enough sun, but also from a careful process of selection of grapes. The production process, but also the way in which the wine is kept and aged, also plays an important role.
Discover below six lesser-known facts about white wine.
Sugar content of white wine
When we talk about sugar we refer, in fact, to the sugars that are contained and accumulated naturally by the grape bean. In wine it is not allowed, in any way of its, to add sugar. Only grape must with a high sugar content may be added.
The sugar content of the white wine differs depending on the fermentation process preferred by the producer. It is not influenced in any way by the grape variety from which the drink is produced.
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Dry white wines
– are obtained with the help of natural yeasts that live in the mash and that consume the sugar from it. Thus, the resulting wine will be left with an amount of less than 4 grams of sugar per liter;
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White wines demiseci
– the fermentation process is stopped, so that the yeasts do not consume all the sugar. The result is a semi-dry wine with a sugar concentration of between 4 and 12 g/litre;
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Semisweet white wines
– where the remaining sugar concentration in the drink is more than 12 grams per litre but does not exceed 50, we are talking about a semisweet wine;
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Sweet white wines
– the sugar concentration exceeds 50g per litre in these wines. They are obtained by adding concentrated grape must or by keeping the grapes on the vines until November for dehydration. Grapes can also be stored in special rooms at low temperature. These rooms allow the dehydration of the grape bean so that it gradually decreases the water content and the percentage increases the sugar content.
Acidity of white wine
When talking about white wines, acidity is a very important and appreciated quality of them. Without acidity, white wines would be flat or even willows.
The acidity of the wine is easily recognized, being the one that is said to "leave our mouth water".
White wine ageing time
The ageing time of white wines varies according to their variety. Thus, loose and dry ones can be kept for 2 to 4 years, and those that are samsfored for 4 to 6 years. Instead, semisweet and sweet wines can be obsolete for 10 years.
How white wine is stored and preserved
All types of wine must be kept in a cold basement with stable temperature and humidity. But if you don't have a cellar, you can improvise simple shelves in a cool place in the house, or look for a special wine fridge.
The appropriate temperature for storing wine is between 7 and 18 degrees Celsius. As for the humidity level, it should not exceed 70%.
In order to keep the stopper dry, thus allowing air to enter the bottle, the cylinders must be kept horizontal.
And light is very important when we talk about storing white wine. UV rays affect the quality of the wine, as white and pink varieties can alter both their taste and shade if not protected. That's why winegrowers use colored bottles for the protection of drinks.
Origin of white wine
Vine cultivation and wine production have a history of about 7000 years behind them. Archaeological evidence discovered to date places the beginnings of wine production in Mesopotamia. From there, this skill has spread to Georgia, Armenia or the territory of Iran today.
In Ancient Egypt, pharaohs were buried with bottles of wine. That's so they can entertain their guests in the afterlife.
Wine was also highly appreciated in ancient Greece, and the Romans included it in the daily diet. That's how what we call the wine industry came about today. Even 2,000 years ago, this drink was not lacking in religious holidays and ceremonies. In addition, it was used as medicine.
However, the wine did not disappear from production after the collapse of the Roman Empire, and was also a common drink in the Byzantine Empire, east of the Mediterranean. From there, the wine started on the Silk Road and spread eastwards to Central Asia. In China, it began to be known from the 8th century.
With the spread of Islam, wine production began to diminish in North Africa and the Middle East.
In the Middle Ages, however, cathedrals and monasteries in Europe cultivated vines and produced wine. The drink was used by monks in religious rituals, but it was also marketed.
Dionis, god of vegetation, tree and wine
The Renaissance period is very important for the wine industry. Interest in the quality and presentation of wine is now born. Also now, in Bordeaux, In France, time and resources are allocated for the production of new types of wine and for the development of technologies and processes for obtaining this drink.
The year 1860 was a crossroads for European vine varieties. The flagel of filoxera destroys most vineyards on the continent, and the remedy comes after more than 40 years, when vine varieties grown in Europe were grafted onto the American graft, immune to the filoxera.
The 20th century means a boom for wine production and consumption in Europe. The industry is growing more and more after the two world wars, and culture techniques are expanding into the US, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand.
Today winemaking is a worldwide phenomenon, wine being one of the most loved and consumed beverages.
Benefits of white wine
White wine helps prevent many diseases, such as heart disease. It's also this drink that also protects us from nervous system conditions, such as Alzheimer's. Thus, we should include it in the daily diet, but in moderate amounts, excessive alcohol consumption being very harmful to the body.
White wine contains numerous vitamins and minerals, including B1, B2, B5 and B6, folic acid, B12, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Thus, a glass of white wine consumed daily supports the immune system, protects us from viruses, favors the secretion of gastric juice and can be an effective sleeping pill, due to the calming effect. Due to its antioxidant content, it has anti-aging properties.
Because it thins the blood, it can reduce bouts of angina and prevent clots.
Calorie content of white wine
As a general rule, alcohol consumption is prohibited in diets. Dry white wine has a calorific content of 70 kcal/100 ml and sweet wine of 163 kcal/100 ml. High attention to champagne with a caloric content of 183 kcal/100 ml.
Contraindications for the consumption of white wine
Consumed in moderation, white wine can have truly miraculous health effects. On the other hand, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious chronic diseases. For example, because of the sugar content, favors the development of diabetes, by increasing the number of triglycerides.
Also, cancer, especially breast cancer, can develop more easily if white wine is consumed without moderation, some studies indicate.
All white wine is also famous for not causing hangovers, but excessive consumption will certainly lead to migraines.
In large quantities, consumed in a short period of time, white wine can lead to the installation of alcoholic comet. This is manifested by convulsions, nausea and, ultimately, loss of consciousness.
Types of white wine and the main grape varieties from which they are made
The quality of the wine is directly influenced by the quality of the grapes that were used in its production. The quality of the grains is given by the climate or the fertility of the earth, among other things.
Discover in this article what are the most important and savory types of white wine.
Light dry wines
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Pinot Blanc
– is practically a genetic mutation of the very unstable Pinot Noir variety. It results in a full-bodied white wine, produced mainly in Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia or the Czech Republic;
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Pinot Gris
– is cultivated since the Middle Ages, being native to Burgundy. This variety produces high-quality wines, which, by ageing, become fine and dynamic;
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Pinot Grigio
– produced from the same grape variety as Pinot Gris, is a young, energizing wine with vibrant and light aromas. It is a slightly spiced assortment;
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Chenin Blanc
– also known as Pineau de la Loire, is a variety native to the Loire Valley, France. Gives a very acidic wine, but can also be used in the production of sparkling wines;
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Aligote
– this variety originating in the burgundy area, France, results in a semi-dry wine with a chicory and wormwood flavour;
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Sarba
– a variety obtained from the fertilization of the Romanian Tâmâmăia, in 1972. From it is obtained a high quality wine, dry or demisec, with a rose fragrance and a flavor hard to confuse;
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Zghihara de Huşi
– a Romanian variety from which light, consumer wines are produced.
Dry wines with strong flavors
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Chardonnay
– appeared in Burgundy, France, being a hybrid of the old Gouais Blanc variety. But it is difficult to grow and very sensitive to temperature changes. It results in a very aromatic, dry and semi-dry wine;
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White Rioja
– or, rather, Rioja Blanco, is a wine originating in the Region of Rioja, Spain. It is obtained from a variety of vine varieties, the most important of which is Viura. It is a full-bodied wine appreciated mainly because it can be obsolete over a period of more than ten years;
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Sauvignon Blanc
– very famous in France, this variety results in a very lively and savory white wine, dry, demisec or sweet;
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Gewurztraminer
– the name comes from the German word "spiced", being exotic, with flavors of ginger and cinnamon.
White Rioja
Sweet, light wines
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Riesling
– a slightly acidic wine with personality, from dry to semisweet. It can also be used in the production of sparkling wines; White Rioja
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Muscat Blanc
– also known as Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, is native to Greece. Although a white variety, the grains may end up pink or even brown;
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Muscat Ottonel
– a wine with a strong incense flavour from dry to semisweet is obtained from this variety. It will get by aging a bouquet of fine flavors;
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Feteasca Blanche
– adapts very well to climate and soil conditions and gives high-quality dry and semi-dry wine. A variety medalist also in Romania, and abroad.
Sweet, strongly flavoured wines
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Sherry
– is a wine made from grapes grown near the town of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, the main variety used being Palomino. It is a light wine, suitable for dessert;
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Tokaji
– or Tokay is a wine originating in Hungary and Slovakia. A sweet wine, obtained from grains affected by noble rot;
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Madeira
– is a wine produced in the Madeira Islands. It can range from dry to sweet and is widely used in cooking;
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Fat Cotnari
– it is said to have been Stephen the Great's favourite wine, with an intense, floral aroma. Sweet or semi-sweet wines may be obtained from this variety;
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Romanian Tâmâmăiă
– it is native to Ancient Greece, but it is also cultivated in us since ancient times. It produces sweet and semisweet wines with an intense, floral aroma.
Sparkling wines
Firstly, sparkling wine is obtained by natural fermentation and should not be confused with sparkling wine, which is enriched by producers with carbon dioxide.
The best example of sparkling wine is champagne, produced in the Champagne region of France. To it we can add Espumante (Portugal), Sava (Spain), Sekt (Germany), Asti (Italy) or Cap Classique (South Africa).
Champagne Region, France
In some regions of the world sparkling wine is synonymous with champagne. European legislation, however, prohibits us from using the term champagne for products other than champagne wines.
Sparkling wine is usually white or pink, but there are also red varieties. It can range from extra-dry to sweet.
The world's most expensive white wines
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1811 Chateau d'Yquem
– usually white wines expire very quickly compared to red wines or other beverages. This is not the case. Due to the high content of residual sugars it contains, this wine is good for consumption for centuries. A bottle of Chateau d'Yquem from 1811 costs no less than $117,000;
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Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet
– the famous Anne-Claude LeFlaive winery produces several of the best white wines from the Cote de Beaune region of France. Of these, The Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet Grand Cru is the most popular, with a single bottle sold for $5,923. Connoisseurs say the price is justified;
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Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Montrachet
– is considered by aficionados and experts one of the tastiest wines in the world, thanks to a wide range of flavors, which range from pear to vanilla tones. $4,810 is the price of such a spoilof of the senses;
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Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
– is produced by Domaine Coche-Dury winery at a price of $2,302 per bottle. This famous winery produces only 3,500 bottles of wine annually, of the highest quality, however;
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Domaine Ramonet Montrachet Grand Cru
– Montrachet of Cote de Beaune is one of the winery that produces the best white wines of the Chardonnay variety. A bottle of Domaine Ramonet Montrachet Grand Cru is no less than $1,257, with, in addition to the unmistakable aroma of chardonnay grapes, irresistible citrus notes.
How to consume white wine
To make the most of the properties of white wine, you need to consider some important rules of consumption, which you will discover in this article.
The right glass for white wine and the temperature at which it is consumed
The right glass for white wine is the "tall" glass with a leg. Very important is to hold the glass of foot, because the ideal temperature of serving white wine is between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. If you usually grab the cup, give up this habit, because in this way "furious" without wanting the special flavor of this drink, heating the glass.
White wine as an aperitif
As a first rule, you should not eat more than three types of wine at a table – be it a festive one. Then you have to start with the white wine, preferably dry, then move on to the semisweet or sweet one. Even if the white wine is missing from the combination, you always have to start with the dry varieties and then move on to the sweet ones.
White wines are then served alongside appetizers and red wines on main dishes – for example, alongside steak.
Combining dishes with the right type of white wine
You can combine white wines with cheeses, especially if they are also dry. And pasta containing cheese, such as Carbonara or Quatro Fromaggi, will get a special flavour alongside white wines. In this context, we recommend assortments such as Feteasca Alba or Sauvignon Blanc.
Seafood or fish can also be successfully associated with these wines. So is chicken, which is weaker.
Recipes containing white wine
White wine can be used as an ingredient in a variety of recipes:
Ingredients:
- 500 g fresh shrimp;
- 2 dried peppers;
- 8 garlic cloves;
- 1 handful of fresh parsley;
- 1 cup semi-dry white wine;
- 1 lemon;
- Olive oil
Heat a pan with olive oil and add the chopped peppers and clean the seeds. The shrimp should be washed, allowed to drain and sprinkled with lemon juice. Then the prawns should be added to the pan, along with half the garlic, over the olive oil and hot peppers.
When the prawns are almost browned add the parsley, the remaining garlic and the glass of wine. Strain under the lid for 2 minutes, then serve with fresh, toasted bread.
Ingredients:
- 500 g of chicken noodles;
- 1 onion;
- 3-4 cloves of garlic;
- 100 ml wine;
- 50 ml tomato juice or broth;
- 3-4 tablespoons olive oil;
- 1 dill bond;
- Salt, pepper to taste.
Preparation mode:
Onions and garlic should be hardened in olive oil, then add the wine and noodles. Leave the mixture over medium heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring regularly. After this period of time has elapsed, you can add tomato juice, salt and pepper. At the end, sprinkle the dill.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 chicken thighs;
- 1 head of garlic;
- 200 ml of white wine;
- Sweet boia;
- Spices for chicken;
- Salt, pepper and oil.
Preparation mode:
Specially to this recipe is the garlic sauce with white wine. To prepare it, the garlic should be crushed and rubbed with oil. The rest of the spices will be added to it. At the end pour the wine.
Each chicken leg will be passed through this mixture, then baked and left to brown well.
Ingredients:
- 1 glass of white wine;
- 2 kg of lamb;
- 200 g of slanin;
- 1 cup sunflower oil;
- 1 lemon;
- Thyme, dried garlic, peppercorns, salt.
Preparation mode:
The lamb should be boned, then greased with a mixture of lemon, garlic and thyme. In the tray in which it is to be placed, you need to add a glass of water and oil. The bacon should be cut into strips and placed over the lamb, over which the peppercorns should be sprinkled. Leave the tray in the oven for one hour, then add the white wine. The meat can be removed from the oven when browned on both sides.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter;
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- Half a cup of dry white wine;
- 1 kg vongole clams;
- 3 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley;
- 1 small lemon;
- Salt and pepper to taste.
The butter should be melted in a pan and boiled with the wine. Then you have to add the clams and leave them on the fire for 5-7 minutes. The pan should be covered with a lid until the shells open. At the end add the parsley. The lemon is cut into slices, with which the plate will be decorated, on the edges.