What Exactly Is a Dry White Wine?

White wine has been a wine lover’s favourite for centuries. Of all the white wines out there, dry white wine is the most popular for its clean and crisp taste and food pairing versatility. But what is dry white wine? In this post we will explain what makes white wine dry, look at the different types of dry white wines and how you can buy white wine or order white wine online from your favourite online wine shop.

What Is White Wine Dry?

"Dry" in white wine means there is no residual sugar in the wine. Residual sugar is the sugar that is left in the wine after going through fermentation. During fermentation, yeast converts the sugars in grape juice into alcohol. When yeast consumes all the sugar the resulting wine is dry. If some sugar is left, the wine can be off-dry, semi-sweet, or sweet, depending on the amount of residual sugar.

1. Grape Variety: Some grape varieties produce less sugar in the wine. Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay are examples.
2. Fermentation: Winemakers can control the fermentation to make sure all the sugar is converted into alcohol and, thus, a dry wine.
3. Climate and Terroir: The climate and soil where the grapes are grown can affect the sugar levels. Cooler climates produce grapes with less sugar which is perfect for dry wines.

Dry white wines are loved for their crisp acidity and clean flavours. They are described as citrus, green apple and mineral.

Types of Dry White Wine

There are many dry white wines each with its own characteristics and flavour profiles. Here are some of the most popular dry white wines you can buy at an online wine shop:

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most well known and popular dry white wines. From the Loire Valley in France, it is now produced in many wine regions around the world including New Zealand, California and Chile. Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and citrusy with flavours of green apple, lime and grapefruit often with herbaceous and grassy notes.

Pinot Grigio also known as Pinot Gris is a dry white wine and very popular in Italy. Light-bodied with crisp acidity and flavors of pear, apple, and lemon. Pinot Grigio is perfect for those who like a light and refreshing white wine that pairs well with many foods.

Chardonnay is a classic dry white wine that varies greatly in style depending on where it’s made. In cooler regions like Chablis in France, Chardonnay is more acidic and mineral-driven with flavours of green apple and citrus. In warmer regions like California, it can be full bodied with richer flavours of tropical fruit, butter and vanilla often due to oak aging.

Albariño is a dry white wine from the Rías Baixas region of Spain. High acidity and fresh zesty flavours of citrus, stone fruit and melon. Albariño is perfect for seafood lovers as it pairs well with many seafood dishes.

Riesling is often associated with sweet wines, many Rieslings are dry. Dry Riesling is really popular throughout Germany and the Alsace region of France. These wines are aromatic and flavours of green apple, lime and apricot and minerality.

Ordering White Wine Online

With modern technology you can now buy white wine online from an online wine store. Here are some tips great tips on buying dry white wines online:

Research: Before you buy, read reviews and descriptions of the wines you are interested in. Look for information about the grape variety, region and winemaker.

Online Wine stores: Choose an online wine store that has many dry white wines. Many online wine shops provide descriptions and ratings to help you decide.

Delivery: Check the delivery options and shipping policy of the online wine shop. Some shops offer free shipping or discounts on bulk orders which can be a good bonus.

Recommendations: Don’t be afraid to ask the online wine stores customer service for recommendations. They can give you personal suggestions based on your taste and budget.

Specials: Keep an eye out for specials. Majority of online wine stores have discounts, seasonal sales and also exclusive deals for their customers.

Dry white wine is a wine for wine lovers. Knowing what makes white wine dry and the different types of dry white wines will make you enjoy this wine more. Whether you like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Albariño or Riesling there’s plenty to choose from. And now you can buy white wine and order white wine online from home! From Bottle Barn, of course.