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Explore white wine, from crisp, refreshing and aromatic styles to rich, textured and complex bottles, discovering the grapes, regions and food pairings that suit every taste.
Choose a fresh, medium-bodied red for steak and ale pie, textured Chardonnay for creamy chicken and mushroom, and dry sparkling wine or fresh Chardonnay for fish pie. For blue cheese, try Sauternes or sweet Chenin Blanc.
Savoie is a small, scattered wine region in eastern France, best known for crisp Jacquère whites, aromatic Altesse and peppery Mondeuse reds, often shaped by Alpine slopes and cool conditions.
Muscadet is a dry white wine from the Loire Valley near Nantes, made from Melon de Bourgogne. It is usually fresh and lively, with citrus, orchard fruit and sometimes a saline finish.
Both are French appellations known for dry, fresh white wines. White Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc; Chablis is Chardonnay. Sancerre often has more herbal or floral lift, while Chablis may feel more restrained and savoury.
Fresh white wine describes a lively style, not one grape. Try Muscadet, Picpoul, Vermentino, Godello or dry Riesling for different expressions, from lean and citrusy to aromatic and textured.
Chablis is Chardonnay, so they are not opposing wines. Chablis is a specific regional expression of Chardonnay from northern Burgundy; explore the broader world of Chardonnay for everything from similarly crisp wines to richer, oakier expressions.
Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are neighbouring Loire appellations famous for dry Sauvignon Blanc. Their flavours overlap considerably, so producer and site often matter as much as appellation. Sancerre also makes Pinot Noir red and rosé.
Chenin Blanc is a versatile white grape known for apple, pear, citrus and honeyed flavours. It is grown especially in France’s Loire Valley and South Africa, producing dry, sparkling and sweet wines.
France's Loire Valley stretches from the Atlantic inland. Expect crisp Muscadet, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, with styles ranging from bone-dry to sweet and sparkling.
Chablis is a northern Burgundy region known for dry white wines made from Chardonnay. Its cool climate and varied vineyard sites produce wines that are typically fresh, citrus-fruited and savoury, with four appellation levels ranging from Petit Chablis to Grand Cru.
Pouilly-Fumé is a dry Centre-Loire Sauvignon Blanc known for citrus, fresh acidity, floral notes and stony or smoky impressions. “Fumé” does not mean smoked, and flint does not directly flavour the wine; these descriptions reflect the combined influence of site, vintage, farming and winemaking.
Sancerre is a Loire Valley appellation in central France, famous for dry Sauvignon Blanc with citrus, orchard fruit and fresh herbal or mineral notes. These styles are shaped by a cool climate and a patchwork of vineyard sites. It also produces smaller amounts of Pinot Noir for red and rosé wines.
Second Glass
Second Glass writes about wine. Please confirm you are old enough to view alcohol-related content in your location.
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