What is the best white wine?

Are you more of a red wine or white wine person?

If you are curious to know which one is best for you,

What if we told you that some well-chosen white wines can rival the greatest reds?

The diversity of white wines is such that there is something for every palate, every dish, and every occasion.

Do you still think white wine is only for aperitifs or seafood?
Hold on tight, we're about to expand your taste buds.

And if you're thirsty, take a look at our selection at the bottom of this article 👇

The Main Types of White Wines

The first step in choosing the right white wine is to understand its major families.
Each type has its specificities, its pleasures, and its agreements.

Dry White Wine: The Elegance of Minerality

This is the basis for those who love white wine.
This is often where we find the most beautiful expressions of the terroir.

We think of the Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire: taut, straight, lemony, with an almost saline freshness.
Or even Chablis and its Chardonnay, which plays the gunflint and purity card.
These wines are perfect with fish, oysters, or simply a well-aged goat cheese .

They cut, they snap, they awaken the taste buds.

And if you like vegetarian dishes, a good dry wine can work wonders with an asparagus risotto.
We slide gently towards more gentle pleasures...

Soft and Sweet: The Art of Bottled Sweetness

Sweet wine is that sweet little treat at the end of a meal, or as an aperitif, for those with a sweet tooth.

What we love about a sweet white is that smooth feeling, balanced by a lovely acidity that prevents nausea.
Choose a sweet wine made from Petit Manseng or Chenin Blanc: it has notes of candied fruit, honey, roasted apricot, etc.

For a kick-ass pairing, try it with foie gras or blue cheeses like Roquefort.
Some sweet white wines are so complex that they can stand up to a dessert, or even enhance it.

We remain gentle, but with a touch of lightness and surprise...

Sweet, But Subtle: The Gourmet White Wine

We are talking here about these slightly sweet wines, but not as rich as a liqueur.
Sweet wine is the perfect balance between pleasure and freshness.

They are found in certain Alsatian appellations, or in blends from the southwest .
Muscat, Gewurztraminer, or even a slightly ripe Viognier can play this role wonderfully.

To be enjoyed with exotic cuisine, an apricot tagine, or sheep's cheeses.
It's a sweet white that doesn't say it too loudly, a wine that plays the balancing act.

And for those who like surprises in the mouth, wait until you see what the bubbles bring...

When Bubbles Invite Themselves

The excitement is the party.

Chardonnay in Champagne? Elegant and airy.
A Crémant de Loire made with Chenin Blanc? Both intense and delicious.
And what about a good pet' nat' for the curious? Natural, full of character.

Sparkling white wines are also our allies for aperitifs, brunches, and fried dishes (yes, even fish & chips).
And what's more, they always look great on a table.

Let's move on to something rarer, more assertive, but just as captivating...

Fortified White Wine: Unique and Powerful

Here we enter a world apart.
Fortified white wine combines aromatic power with a certain sweetness, thanks to the addition of alcohol.

The muscat of Beaumes-de-Venise, for example, coats the palate with its floral and fruity notes.
And if you've never tasted a yellow wine from the Jura, perhaps it's time to shake up your bearings.
These wines are intense, sometimes confusing, but never boring.

They accompany spicy dishes, mature cheeses, or are enjoyed on their own, for what they are: real characters.

Now that we've thoroughly explored the styles, let's look at what makes them unique: the grape variety.

Emblematic Grape Varieties

The Essentials: Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Chenin and Riesling

It is impossible to talk about white wine without mentioning these four pillars.

Sauvignon Blanc is pure freshness.
Herbaceous, lemony, with a marked acidity, it pleases lovers of lively wines.
It is also an excellent companion to seafood and vegetarian dishes.

Chardonnay, on the other hand, is a real chameleon.
It can be mineral like in Chablis, buttery and woody like in Burgundy, or sunny in California.
It is the most widely planted white grape variety in the world, and it deserves its reputation.

Chenin Blanc is our little favorite at La Cave du Canal.
Capable of producing dry, sweet or sparkling wines, it always gives wines with depth and good aging capacity.

Riesling, on the other hand, is often underestimated.
And yet, it is a wine of great honesty, full of tension, with aromas of citrus and warm stone.
It evolves wonderfully over time and can enhance certain Asian dishes.

But let's stay curious, because some lesser-known grape varieties are really worth the detour...

Must-sees: Viognier, Muscat, Gros and Petit Manseng

Viognier is the sensuality of white wine.
Notes of peach, apricot, white flowers... A real caress.
Best enjoyed young, with a mildly spiced dish or a Thai curry.

Muscat, often perceived as sweet, can also be dry.
Its instantly recognizable peach nose can surprise and charm even red wine lovers.

And then there are the gros and petit manseng, present mainly in the southwest.
They are the kings of sweet wines, with a natural acidity that balances the sweetness.
Their aromatic complexity makes them emotional wines.

Terroirs and Appellations: Journey Through the Regions

The same Chardonnay will have nothing in common if it grows on the limestone soils of the Côte de Beaune or on the clay soils of Australia.
The appellations and wine-growing regions give their full dimension to the notion of terroir.

We'll take you on a little tour.

French Regions

France is the cradle of great white wines.
And what makes it strong are its terroirs, as varied as they are authentic.
Each region has its own style, its favorite grape varieties, and its well-kept secrets.

Burgundy: The Refinement of Great White Wines

If there's one region where Chardonnay feels like a rooster in pastry, it's Burgundy.
Here, the white grape variety par excellence gives birth to legendary wines.

Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne, Corton-Charlemagne… These names make wine lovers vibrate.
These are white wines of extreme finesse, often marked by fresh butter, hazelnut, and flint .
But most importantly, they have texture.
Something enveloping, something deep.

Do you like poultry in cream sauce, fine fish, and mature cheeses?
It is in these vintages that you will find your happiness.

Come on, let's cross the country diagonally to discover a region with German accents...

Alsace: Between Freshness and Aromatic Richness

Alsace is an exceptional playground for white grape varieties.
Here, Riesling reigns supreme, dry, straight, taut, almost sharp.
But he is not the only actor on the scene.

We also find Pinot Gris, more fleshy, Gewurztraminer, opulent, spicy, floral, or Muscat, light and delicate.
Alsace also produces magnificent sweet wines, particularly late harvests or selections of noble grapes.

As an aperitif, with an Asian dish, a Munster cheese or a fruit-based dessert, there's always an Alsatian white that goes well.
And in terms of terroir, there is no shortage of Grands Crus: Schlossberg, Rangen, Brand…

But if we're talking about diversity and value for money, you absolutely have to take a detour via the Loire...

The Loire: Sancerre, Vouvray, and Much More

This is THE region of white contrasts.
From the Sauvignon Blanc of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé to the Chenin Blanc of Vouvray and Montlouis, we go from sharp to velvety.

Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre?
A crystalline purity , notes of boxwood, lime, sometimes a minerality that evokes chalk.
Serve with oysters, fresh goat cheese, or even sushi.

In Vouvray, Chenin Blanc shows its full potential.
Dry, semi-dry, sweet or sparkling, it offers an impressive range of styles .

And since we're on the water's edge, let's continue our journey west...

White Bordeaux: From Brilliance to Sweetness

When we talk about Bordeaux, we think red wine.
But white Bordeaux deserves a place of its own.

They are often made from a blend: Sauvignon Blanc for tension, Sémillon for roundness, Muscadelle for a floral touch.
The result? Aromatic, lively wines, perfect as an aperitif or with seafood.

And then there are the sweet wines...
Sauternes, Barsac, Cadillac : these sweet wines are born from botrytis, the famous noble rot.
A great Sauternes with blue cheese or an apricot tart is pure emotion.

Jura, Rhône and Savoie: Hidden Gems

The Jura offers inimitable wines:
Savagnin, yellow wine, under veil… Aromas of nuts, curry, dried apple , and incredible power.
Perfect for an old comté or a characterful kitchen.

In the Rhône, we find sunny whites, often made from Viognier, Marsanne or Roussanne.
The Condrieu in particular are legendary: intense, fragrant, almost heady.

And Savoy?
It's pure freshness. Jacquère, Altesse, Roussette... Light, thirst-quenching wines that we love with raclette, but not only.

We've been around France... But the planet doesn't stop there!

Internationally

Today, great whites are no longer found only in France.
Other countries have followed suit, with talent and creativity.

Let’s explore what other terroirs around the world have to offer…

Italy in White: Prosecco, Moscato and Other Treasures

Prosecco, of course, with its lightness and joyful bubbles.
But also Moscato d'Asti: sweet, sparkling, low in alcohol, perfect for desserts or summer aperitifs.

And what about verdicchio, fiano, Greco?
Native grape varieties that produce wines full of character.
Not always known, but which really deserve to be highlighted.

We head back north to come across another white star...

Germany and Its Exceptional Rieslings

German Riesling is a completely underrated monument.
Whether in the dry (trocken) or mild version, it expresses purity, precision, verticality.

The schist terroirs of the Moselle produce finely chiseled wines with aromas of lemon, fine oil and green apple.
They are also great wines for laying down.

And German Rieslings make magical pairings with Asian cuisine, spicy dishes or smoked fish.
A true gem that is too often forgotten.

New World White Wines: Modernity and Diversity

Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States, Chile…
The New World knows how to make grape varieties speak.

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, with its exuberant aromas of passion fruit and boxwood, is all the rage.
Californian Chardonnays, sometimes very oaky, are rich and powerful.
And in South Africa, Chenin Blanc has found a second home: lively, sunny, textured.

These countries dare, innovate, and produce accessible, well-made wines that appeal to a new generation of wine lovers.

Alternatives: Organic, Natural or Alcohol-Free White Wine

White wine is also changing.
Today, we are seeing the emergence of wines that are more respectful of living things.

Organic white wines are made without herbicides, with real work in the vineyards.
Natural wines go even further: no added sulfites, indigenous yeasts, a raw, sometimes surprising style.
But when it's done well, it's atypical while remaining tasty.

What about non-alcoholic white wine?
Perfect for those who want the pleasure of taste, without the effects.
There are more and more quality ones, with real aromas, freshness, and even a little structure.

At La Cave du Canal, we select a few that are truly worth the detour.
You will also find them on our website.

Serving and Storing White Wine Like a Pro

You have the right bottle.
But now?
Temperature? Glass? Should I decant? And what if I don't finish the bottle?

Ideally:

Sparkling wine: 6 to 8°C

Light dry white: 8 to 10°C

Rich or woody whites: 10 to 12°C

Soft and syrupy: 8 to 10°C

Use a tulip glass, not too wide but not too narrow.
And always serve a little less than in a glass of red wine.

Little tip: prepare the bottles 20 minutes in advance.

A young, tense, slightly closed wine? Oxygen can open it up.
A barrel-aged Chardonnay or a richly aromatic Viognier? A 30-minute decanting works wonders.

But be careful with old or very fragile whites.
We serve them directly, gently, without rushing them.

Enough Theory, Time for Practice!

At La Cave du Canal, we don't just offer you wine.
We teach you to savor it.

Our themed tastings are an opportunity to discover the nuances between a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley and one from New Zealand.
Or even to understand why some white wines tolerate barrel aging better than others.

We taste, we exchange, we discover surprising pairings with cheeses, spicy dishes, or even desserts.

And if you are planning a wedding , a birthday or a reception, we will help you choose whites suited to your guests, your dishes and your budget.
Because wine is not just a drink: it is an experience, a memory, an emotion.