White Wine Has Rich Possibilities

by Wine Taster
published: 09 Sep 2009       | Comments

Who knows why, but many people have a very black and white - or, to be perfectly literal, red and white - attitude when it comes to wine. These wine drinkers not only favor one type, but seem to abhor anything else. Ask a bartender how often he or she hears a customer say, "I can't drink white wine!" or "Red wine gives me headaches." Often, we bet.

Although there are certainly people in both camps, exclusive red wine drinkers seem to be the bigger culprits, often describing white wine as feminine, insipid or reminiscent of a kid's sweet grape juice. Whatever their reasons, they are missing out on a beautiful joy in life.

To start with, white wine is incredibly versatile. Think of all the areas on the planet where the weather, at least two months out of the year, gets uncomfortably warm to insanely hot. White wine's abundant acidity, chilled state and lower tannin level make it the perfect contrast to such a climate.

Within the category of white wine is an unbelievable array of textures and flavors, many of which lend themselves to remarkable food pairings. Chardonnay can work its magic on a dressed-up plate of crab cakes or down-home platter of roast chicken. Sauvignon Blanc brightens up a goat cheese salad and balances the richness of poached salmon. Riesling, which is too often categorized as simple and overly sweet by amateur drinkers, is the secret weapon of sommeliers. It holds a place of honor on wine lists at ethnic restaurants as diverse as Mexican, Vietnamese, Thai, German and Austrian. Gruner Veltliner, an interesting Austrian white, is among the few wines that work with tough-to-pair ingredients such as asparagus or artichokes. You can even find a white wine that complements pasta, shellfish, fish, chicken, squab, pork and every type of vegetable. (Sure, red works better with red meat, but few dine on steak daily).

The world of wine is full of pleasant discoveries. To only explore half the options available is like watching a movie with your eyes closed. So grab a bottle of white and open your eyes - you may not always like what you see, but at least you are getting the whole story.