From a delicious white fish dish to a hot summer’s afternoon, sometimes there is nothing more perfect than a glass of chilled white wine.
In this short guide, we are going to share some fascinating facts about how white wine is made and how best to serve it, as well as offering three wonderful white wine gift ideas, to spoil your loved one with.
White wine facts and information
White wine comes in so many different varieties – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Viognier – to name just a few of the common white wine grapes.
What we love most about white wine is as well as the wide variety of grapes, each wine will also taste different depending on the country, region, and location of the vineyard in which the grapes are grown and the wine is produced. There are so many white wine types to discover and try. Try comparing a Sauvignon Blanc from France versus New Zealand and you will see what we mean.
White wine can be dry or sweeter. Dry white wines, which are more acidic and crisp in taste, are very popular. Very little sugar is added in the fermentation process in comparison to a sweet, dessert white wine, for example.
White wine also comes in a variety of colours. From a very pale, green or yellow, to rich gold. Aromas include lemon, grapefruit, and hints of cut grass, through to sweeter peach and mango, as well as heavier and oak scents.
As for food and wine pairing, white wine traditionally goes well with fish and seafood. It can also be enjoyed with Thai food too.
With such variety on offer and so many vineyards producing white wine around the whole world, it’s a wonderful wine to try with so many foods and perfect for many social occasions.
5 white wine facts
1 - White wine is made from green grapes. The grapes are young and often not fully ripe to offer a dry and crisp taste.
2 - White wine should be served chilled, at 7-10 ̊c for lighter white wines. However, for a more full-bodied white wine, it can be slightly warmer at 10-13 ̊c, especially for those oaky whites.
3 - White wine dates from around 3500 BC, with evidence of it being drunk by many ancient civilisations, including the Greeks and Romans too.
4 - It takes over 600 grapes to create a single bottle of white wine.
5 - White Wine Week falls in August each year, starting on the 4th of August in 2023. It is a week of appreciation for this refreshing and delightful beverage, as well as the hard-working white wine-producing vineyards.
White wine gift ideas
The ultimate white wine gift has to be a tour of the well-known white wine-producing regions, from California in the USA to Marlborough in New Zealand, and the Loire Valley in France. However, if your gift or birthday budget doesn’t quite stretch that far, we have some wonderful hampers that any white wine lover is sure to enjoy and savour.
Luxury White Wine & Cheese Hamper
Well, we have to start with the wine when it comes to our Luxury White Wine and Cheese Hamper. The centrepiece is the bottle of Casa Natal's Albariño.
Casa Natal is one of the oldest family wineries in the Salnés Valley in Spain. Casa Natal means 'the home of their birth' and it is not run by the fourth generation of the Pintos family.
This bottle of Spanish white wine has clean, fresh and fruity aromas, and is well-balanced, with a firm taste and pale yellow, with green glints.
The subtle fruit flavours pair perfectly with Snowdonia's award-winning extra mature cheddar.
Inspired by the Albariño's tasting notes, there are hickory smoked almonds and lemon and coriander olives, plus a jar of quince.
Forget drinking only red wine with cheese, give this incredible combination a try.
Food & Wine Lover's Gift
This white wine gift, also includes a bottle of red, making it the perfect gift for any wine lover…who also enjoys great-tasting foods.
The Food & Wine Lovers Gift features a bottle of crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Saint Peyre, in the Languedoc region of France. The grapes are grown in vineyards a few kilometres away from the 'Etang de Thau' - a string of lagoons that reach from the Rhône River to the foot of the Pyrenees, flanking the south coast of France.
This white wine has a lovely citrus freshness with grassy and gooseberry flavours. There are also scents of exotic fruits, including guava and mango.
You can also find this refreshing Sauvignon Blanc in our Best Of Both Wine Gift Box
In this overflowing hamper of great tastes, there is also the full-bodied Royal Road Malbec from Argentina, and a fantastic array of sweet and savoury treats to pair perfectly with the wines, including crackers with Roquefort, handmade salted caramel fudge and gourmet caramel and Belgian chocolate popcorn.
The Regency Hamper
If you are looking for an extra special white wine gift, then you have to take the time to stop and explore The Regency Hamper.
This luxury hamper includes a bottle of New Zealand’s finest Sauvignon Blanc from the Kono vineyard in Marlborough. This pale white wine has a vibrant fruit-driven nose bursting with citrus fruits and herbaceous characters. On the palate, luscious flavours of lemon zest and guava combine with notes of currant leaf and fresh bell pepper – a memorable combination. Finely balanced with zesty acidity, underlying minerality and just a hint of residual sweetness, this crisp and fresh wine leads to a perfectly long, dry, and persistent finish. You won’t forget it.
Another ideal gift for those who appreciate their wine, there is also a bottle of Autreau Champagne and a Gauchezco Estate Malbec too.
In addition, there is a fantastic array of luxury nibbles and sweet treats. There is award-winning cheddar cheese, luxury crackers and caramelised onion chutney too. Plus, there is a selection of artisan chocolates and hand-baked biscuits, to enjoy with the finest tea and coffee too.
Your gift recipient will enjoy trying the wines and pairing the carefully-selected range of food. Delicious!
Enjoy the finest glass of white wine
Whether it is White Wine Week, a beautiful summer’s day or the right time for a fish supper (!), then make sure you choose the fine white wine to savour and enjoy.
To explore more wine gifts, perfect for the wine lover in your life, discover our full range today
