When ordering at the bar, do you often opt for a crisp, refreshing glass of white wine? Indeed, white wine is one of the UK’s favourite alcoholic beverages, with Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay being some of the most popular varieties. Although you might enjoy indulging in white wine, the world of viniculture is mysterious, with a vast and colourful history. Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about white wine and shed some light on why it has become one of the world’s favourite drinks. 

Different Hues

Despite being called “white wine”, this diverse beverage varies in hue from pale and almost colourless to deep, rich, amber and gold. The colour of white wine is primarily influenced by the grape variety and the varying natural pigments and compounds present in their skins. For example, Chardonnay wines tend to be more golden in colour, while Sauvignon Blanc wines are often paler. However, other factors can influence the appearance of wine, including the ageing process, oxidation and winemaking techniques.

18th Century Paris

The 18th Century saw significant changes in French society, including shifts in consumption patterns and the availability of different types of wine. During this era, wine consumption was becoming more widespread among other social classes rather than being limited to aristocratic circles. As such, the citizens of Paris took to the habit of consuming cheap white wine as an affordable alternative to more expensive varieties. This increased demand for more affordable options led to a surge in the production of white wine, making it a staple beverage for 18th Century Parisians. 

Lack Of Tannins

Compared to red wine, white wine generally has much lower tannin levels. Tannins, occurring phenolic compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems, contribute to the astringency and structure of the wine, adding bitterness and astringency. That’s not to say that white wine cannot be remarkably complex. While red wines are often associated with complexity due to the presence of tannins, white wines can also be wonderfully complex, albeit in different ways. The complexity of white wine is generally defined by its acidity, sweetness and ageing potential. 

Global Production

White wine is produced in abundance around the world, with each region offering unique qualities and characteristics. Italy, France, Spain and the USA stand as the top four producers of white wine and are responsible for over half of the world’s wines. Some world-renowned white winemaking regions include Burgundy, France, famous for producing some of the world’s most iconic Chardonnay wines and Marlborough, New Zealand, known for its vibrant and intensely aromatic Sauvignon Blanc wines.

The Rise Of Champagne

Renowned for its opulence and association with all things celebratory, Champagne is a delightful treat with a colourful history. In the French region of Champagne during the 17th Century, the cool climate caused fermentation to pause during winter, resulting in the accidental creation of carbon dioxide, which got trapped in the wine, forming bubbles. While Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon is often credited with “inventing” Champagne, his actual role was focused on refining the winemaking techniques that shaped the sparkling beverage we all know and love. 

Chateau d’Yquem

The title of “most expensive white wine” goes to Comet Vintage 1811 Chateau d’Yquem, which can be purchased for an astonishing £91,873. Château d’Yquem is a prestigious winery located in the Sauternes region of Bordeaux, blessed with a microclimate that is ideal for the development of noble rot, the understandably more palatable name given to the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Noble rot, as explained in this article, intensifies the sweetness of a wine, adding flavour complexity, along with a mouthfeel that is rich and syrupy.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian poem considered one of the earliest known works of literature, may contain one of the earliest mentions of wine known to man. In the epic, the protagonist, the semi-mythical King of Uruk, seeks immortality, whereupon he meets Siduri, the young goddess of wine, who tells him that what he longs for is beyond his grasp. The Sumerians, who were responsible for the creation of the epic, were known to have been some of the earliest producers and consumers of various types of wine.