What is white wine? Since wine grapes nearly always have clear juice, it’s from the skins that color is obtained. White wine is made from pale-skinned grape varietals that are vinified with minimal contact so that the wine doesn’t pick up a lot of pigment or tannins from grape skins.
Different types of white wine can range in color from greenish-clear to deep gold, depending on the method of vinification,What is white wine? Since wine grapes nearly always have clear juice, it’s from the skins that color is obtained. White wine is made from pale-skinned grape varietals that are vinified with minimal contact so that the wine doesn’t pick up a lot of pigment or tannins from grape skins.
Different types of white wine can range in color from greenish-clear to deep gold, depending on the method of vinification, the age of the wine, and the color of the grapes, which, while lighter in color than red wine grapes, can still have a pinkish hue. The important differentiation is that the skins are always separated from the juice before fermentation begins. Winemakers must also take care during this time and throughout vinification to avoid oxidation, as the exposure of the wine to oxygen can lead to off colors and aromas. Because of their lack of tannin and overall delicacy, white wines are much more susceptible to the effects of oxygen than red wines. ...more ...less
Vinification of white wines takes places predominantly in neutral vessels, such as stainless steel, concrete, or older oak. This allows the fruity, floral (such as citrus or honeysuckle) tasting notes of the wine, as well as the fresh acidity, to shine through, as too much oak flavor can obscure the fine nature of white wine. French white wine and Italian white wine is generally unoaked or lightly oaked. In theVinification of white wines takes places predominantly in neutral vessels, such as stainless steel, concrete, or older oak. This allows the fruity, floral (such as citrus or honeysuckle) tasting notes of the wine, as well as the fresh acidity, to shine through, as too much oak flavor can obscure the fine nature of white wine. French white wine and Italian white wine is generally unoaked or lightly oaked. In the case of some Californian white wine or other New World white wine, oak may be employed during fermentation and/or ageing. This tends to work best with fuller-bodied types of wine, which is why the generally warmer temperatures of New World wine regions provide the capacity for some of the best white wines to handle the more intense flavors that new oak imparts. Hints of vanilla or butter will often be present in an oaked white.
Another important part of white wine making is the stirring of lees. Lees are the insoluble sediment that is a natural byproduct of winemaking, including spent yeast cells, grape seeds, and stem and skin fragments. When the lees are allowed to remain in contact with the wine, usually by regular stirring, they impart more body and complexity to good white wine, which can provide more depth of flavor and ageability. ...more ...less