Find you white wine

How to Choose a White Wine When Buying Wine Online?

The selection of white wines in France offers unparalleled richness: the various wine regions of our country allow for the cultivation of many grape varieties and have developed a wide range of styles over the centuries. A dry white wine? Fruity? Mineral? Or rather round, full-bodied, or sweet? Here's a small guide to help you navigate through it all. All regions and grape varieties are showcased on Avenue des Vins. In white wine, we can distinguish two main categories.

First, there are aromatic white wines, made from aromatic grape varieties (Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, etc.) and typically aged in stainless steel tanks. These wines express varietal notes, focused on fruit and white flower aromas. Secondly, we have barrel-aged white wines, usually made from more discreet grape varieties (Chardonnay, Aligoté, Sémillon, etc.) and aged in barrels, which give them a creamier and smoother profile.

Focus on Different AOC / AOP: In the first category, we find renowned appellations such as:

• All wines from the Alsace AOC;
• White wines from the Entre-Deux-Mers region in Bordeaux;
• Wines from the Chablis AOC in Burgundy;
• Many white wines from the Loire Valley, especially Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé AOCs;
• Some wines from Provence and the Southwest of France.

In the second category, we find noble appellations:

• White wines from Burgundy, particularly from the Côte de Beaune;
• White wines from Pessac-Léognan (Bordeaux);
• White wines from the Jura AOCs (Arbois, Château-Chalon, l'Étoile, and Côtes du Jura);
• Wines from the Rhône Valley, especially Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Condrieu;
• And finally, most white wines from Languedoc-Roussillon.

Focus on Different Grape Varieties

Besides the climate, the grape variety defines the aromatic profile of a white wine. Aromatic grape varieties are known for their strong flavors, which winemakers aim to highlight. For example, Riesling offers fruity, spicy, and floral notes. Chenin Blanc showcases aromas of yellow fruits, dried fruits, citrus, white flowers, and honey. Other aromatic varieties include Gewurztraminer, Melon de Bourgogne, and Sauvignon Blanc, among others.

More discreet grape varieties are often aged in barrels and undergo malolactic fermentation. These two winemaking techniques give the wine additional aromas. These wines may offer hints of coconut, butter, milk, or toasted bread. This is often the case with Chardonnay and Melon de Bourgogne, the two prime examples of this in France.

Suggested Pairings

Aromatic white wines pair wonderfully with cheese, contrary to popular belief: try a Sauvignon Blanc with goat cheese or a Gewurztraminer with Munster. The acidity of white wine works beautifully with the richness of cheese.

Mineral wines are a perfect match for seafood: we all know how well Chablis pairs with a platter of oysters. This also holds true for a Muscadet from the Pays Nantais or some mineral grape varieties from the Southwest.

Barrel-aged white wines, which are rounder, pair excellently with dishes in sauce. A white Burgundy or a Viognier will delight your palate when paired with fish or poultry.

Buying Direct: Even Better

Between the grape variety and the terroir is the winemaker. As strong advocates of direct-from-producer sales, we highlight the men and women behind these bottles. Wine is the fruit of their labor and philosophy, and we believe it's only fair to give them the visibility they deserve.

By buying your wine directly from the producer, you reduce intermediaries and buy at the price set by the winemaker. In short supply chains, you reduce the ecological impact of the logistics chain and reconnect with the story behind your glass.