What is a dry white wine?
A dry white wine is a white wine that contains less than 2 grams of residual sugar per litre. By residual sugar, we refer to the sugar contained in the must which has not yet been transformed into alcohol by the process of fermentation. As a general rule, dry white wines have a sweetness level between 0.1 and 2 grams per litre. Beyond this limit, the wine is considered to be demi-sec (medium sweet).
What is the difference between a dry white wine and a vin blanc moelleux or liquoreux (dessert wine or sweet wine)?
Harvesting of dry white wines, vins moelleux and vins liquoreux
The dry white wines are made from grapes harvested at perfect ripeness and all the quality grapes are used for vinification. On the other hand, moelleux or liquoreux wines, also called “vins doux,” come from late harvests. The grapes reach a stage of over-ripeness and, thanks to the appearance of botrytis, they develop a very high sugar concentration.
Vinification of dry and sweet white wines
To obtain a dry white wine, a total fermentation of the must is carried out. On the contrary, moelleux or liquoreux white wines see their fermentation interrupted before or at the start of fermentation in order to preserve all the sweetness of the aromas and the sugar.
The differences in taste between dry whites and sweet wines
Generally, dry white wines have an aromatic profile that is easily recognisable by the liveliness of its aromas and its acidic notes. We generally find notes of white or exotic fruits and white flowers. Sweet wines tend to develop aromas of candied fruit combined with honeyed, brioche and toasted notes. As a general rule, the acidity is felt more on the palate for dry white wines and sugar for moelleux or liquoreux wines.
Which dry white wine to choose for an apéritif?
With its lively, fruity character and little or no development, dry white wine is the ideal companion for a successful aperitif. Indeed, thanks to its refreshing style, it whets the appetite without saturating the taste buds. In order to choose the right bottle of dry white wine, it is important to make the right food and wine pairings as well as to know your aromatic preferences.
Food pairings for dry white wine
In this way, even if it lends itself to a very wide range of flavours and dishes, it is advisable to choose the dry white wine for your apéritif according to the dishes served. For example, to accompany fatty dishes such as rillettes or pâté, a dry white wine from the Loire or Burgundy will provide a nice contrast. On the other hand, the character of dry white wines from the south-east of France, like the wines of Languedoc or Provence, is predestined to go well with spicy dishes such as a tapenade or a pissaladière.
Choose a dry white wine according to your tastes
In order to make a choice that will please guests but also yourself, it is important to know your tastes and everyone's preferences. Beyond food and wine pairings, it remains essential to identify the aromas that we prefer in order to choose the right style of dry white wine. For this, it may be useful to discover more about the grape varieties and appellations that produce the best dry white wines.
AOC Bordeaux Entre-Deux-Mers: a dry white wine ready to drink
Finally, for a good aperitif wine, we also recommend a ready-to-drink wine. It is important that the wine has evolved enough to be appreciated at its true value. If you do not want to wait several years for a wine to age to reach its full potential, it may be wise to opt for an appellation known for its wines to be tasted in their youth. This is for example the case of the AOC Entre-deux-Mers. It is a dry white wine produced in the Bordeaux region, in the south-west of France. The latter is known for its freshness, liveliness and aromatic richness. Very balanced, they are very pleasant as an apéritif or with shellfish and grilled fish. However, they are not wines for laying down and it is therefore recommended to drink them within three years of their being released on the market.
The grape varieties of the best dry white wines
Dry white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc
The Sauvignon Blanc grape variety is at the origin of the great white wines of the Loire and Bordeaux. It is characterised by its lemon flavors and unequaled acidity. Dry white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc are recognisable by their aromas of herbs, nettle, gooseberry and bell pepper. They are very good apéritif wines that refresh the palate.
Dry white wine made from Riesling
With Riesling, we leave the west of France to enter German soil. Indeed, originating from across the Rhine, this grape variety offers not only sublime sweet white wines but also excellent dry white wines. The latter delight with the intensity of their aromatic expression often carried with aromas of flowers and a delicious acidity.
Dry white wines made from Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most popular grape varieties for white wine lovers. An emblematic grape variety of the Burgundy region since it is the only one authorised to produce the region's white wines, Chardonnay, which produces dry white wines, is often associated with the AOC Chablis. It nevertheless remains a very versatile grape variety and offers an aromatic expression specific to each type of terroir it comes from. It is generally recognised by its chalky character, earthy aromas and buttery notes.
Dry white wine made from the Pinot Blanc
The Pinot Blanc grape variety produces very good dry white wines since it has a very high acidity level. It is grown mainly in France, Germany and Austria but also in Italy. Often compared to Chardonnay, it is grown in Alsace and produces excellent dry white wines with tart cherry and citrus flavors that are perfect for an apéritif.
Dry white wines made from Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris is a grape variety that is mostly used in Italy under the name Pinot Grigio to produce sparkling and semi-sparkling wines. Nevertheless, in Alsace it is also grown to produce quality dry white wines. Generally not very intense but sublime in its aromatic complexity, Pinot Gris offers very nice smoky but also freshly spicy notes.
Dry white wines made from Viognier
With its superb aromatic richness carried by notes of apricot and white peach, Viognier is at the origin of the greatest French crus. It is the only grape variety authorised to produce the very famous Condrieu wines in the Rhône Valley. This variety offers a very fine dry white wine, in no way acidic, and perfumed with delicate floral and fruity notes. Its yellow colour is very intense.
The appellations of the best dry white wines in France
AOC Meursault
Meursault blanc is a dry white wine from Burgundy, in the Côte de Beaune region. Its terroir is influenced by an oceanic and semi-continental climate as well as by an exceptional soil that varies between limestone and marl. It is recognizable thanks to its pale colour, its aromas of infinite finesse and its unequaled aromatic complexity. Intense notes of butter, citrus fruits and honey offer a great harmony between smoothness and acidity. Its minerality is striking and makes it a perfect wine to accompany lobster, caviar and other dishes of such refinement.
AOC Puligny-Montrachet
Puligny-Montrachet dry white wines are produced in Burgundy, in the Côte de Beaune region. The appellation has 17 climats classified as Premier Cru and 4 classified as Grand Cru. We recognise it thanks to its pale and shiny colour as well as thanks to the aromas of dried fruits and the minerality that emerge from it. On the palate, Puligny-Montrachet offers soft, fine and deep wines with a superb structure and excellent aging potential. It is particularly appreciated with fine fish like pike.
AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape blanc
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an appellation in the south-east of France located in the Rhône Valley. Best known for its internationally renowned red wine, the AOC also produces a dry white wine extremely renowned for its quality. Made from the Roussanne grape variety, these wines are recognisable by their luminous pale gold colour and the finesse and delicacy of their aromatic expression. It gives off floral notes of acacia, white-fleshed fruit and citrus. The white wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape offer impressive roundness and substance as well as a perfect balance of flavours. At the finish, we can taste a symphony of honeyed, flowery and spicy flavours. Its ageing potential is generally excellent. It particularly elevates fish and exotic dishes.
AOC Sancerre blanc
The Sancerre appellation produces dry white wines called monovarietal wines since they are only produced from Sauvignon Blanc. The AOC is located in the Loire vineyards, in the middle of France, on a very varied terroir composed of siliceous pebbles, sandy silt, flint, sandstone and limestone. The white Sancerre has a pale gold colour with green highlights as well as a remarkable aromatic finesse carried by citrus flavors such as grapefruit, orange, lemon but also flowers and mineral notes. It is very lively when young and after many years in the cellar it will reveal all its complexity. White Sancerre is particularly appreciated with fine seafood.
“Organic” dry white wines
So-called “bio” or “organic” dry white wines refer to dry white wines from organic farming. This denomination therefore designates wines produced with respect for the environment. Indeed, organic wines comply with strict regulations in terms of sulfites and pesticides. Often associated with organic white wines, biodynamic wines share with them this respectful vision of nature. They come from a philosophy that thinks of nature as a set of ecosystems to be listened to, respected and preserved. Thus, “organic” and biodynamic dry white wines are generally much better for health when consumed in moderation but also for the environment which flourishes more while preserving a very delicate and authentic taste. These wines are a very pure expression of their terroir.
“Organic” dry white wine: the case of Brut Nature champagne
The dosage of Brut Nature champagne
For lovers of bubbles and dry white wine, Brut Nature champagne is the perfect sparkling wine. Indeed, this type of champagne is aptly named since in these cuvées nature expresses itself without any artifice. No sugar is added and this is why the Brut Nature champagne has less than 3 grams per litre against 12 grams per litre for a Brut champagne. The houses that work with this type of champagne very often follow an approach that respects the environment and aim to give free rein to the expression of nature in their sparkling wines.
Food and wine pairings: with what to drink a Brut Nature champagne?
Brut Nature champagne is also distinguished from other champagnes by its flavours. Of great purity and unequaled freshness, this wine allures with its incredible finesse. Very authentic, it offers wine lovers a taste that is none other than that of nature and more particularly of the lands from whence it came in Champagne. These characteristics make it an ideal champagne as an apéritif but also alongside iodised dishes like seafood as well as with fresh cheeses such as goat cheese.
Where to buy dry white wine?
Dry white wine brings together an almost infinite quantity of different wines since they are found in all countries. There are therefore thousands of bottles circulating on the international wine market today and despite the many articles available online on this type of wine, it can seem difficult to find the dry white wine that corresponds precisely to your tastes. This is why Millésima selects the best dry white wines directly from the estates for its customers. These exceptional wines come from the stocks of renowned estates or châteaux and then rest in our cellars. Then, our wines are transported to your home thanks to a fast delivery from our cellars.
