What is the principal difference between red and white wines? Why hardly any wine lover can say that they love both red and white wines? Why they still both exist, have their own fans and experts and never come out of fashion? Which of them is better? Tricky questions, because when you answer them, you use your personal opinion and own experience.
Actually, the main reason why these wines are so unlike each other is that the grapes used for production of red wine and white wine are grown in different climates: red wine grapes tend to be produced in warmer climates, which causes its lower acidity and thus red wines are recognized as health-giving.
However, best white wines are not less popular! You have certainly tried or at least heard about such wines as Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot series (Blanc, Gris, Grigio), Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. Each year sees a new collection of these wines, that are fairly considered best white wines, and wines which are already several decades old can become real gems of every wine collection. Wines of such quality are best enjoyed at private parties and anniversaries, best presented as corporate or family gifts.
French white wineis considered best white wineand is especially appreciated by wine experts; some of them even say that best white wine can only be made in France, in Burgundy or Alsace, for example.
Taking into consideration that there are very few families that have a cellar at home and on top of that, whos fortune makes a $300 bottle of wine a dinner tradition, it seems important to mention such wines that cost less than $40 but are still worth drinking. Maybe it won't be called best white wine, though it is possible to find a cheap white wine, that will add a special zest to your dinner: wine is the juice of romance, and you are sure to feel it during the late dinner for two.
Wines of the current year or those which are five years old, cost no more than $50, especially if they were produced in Germany or the United States.
Let's take a closer look at wines produced in America.
Pinot Gris, of 2004 usually costs about $15 if it was produced in Sonoma County. No matter what the price is, the taste can satisfy the majority of wine lovers: supple texture, quite intense flavour and subtle crisp on the finish.
The category of wines that cost about $20 is famous among wine experts for excellent young wines (Anderson Valley, Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Willamette Valley, and Napa Valley). The wines that are about two years old are delisious and rich, fruity and complex.
The cheapest Sauvignon Blanc of well-balanced and quite complicated character, which dates, for instance, at 2004, costs from $12 to $35. It comes as no surprise that Napa Valley is again the quality leader in the group. The wines produced here are gorgeous and intense, with a lot of hints of fruity flavours.
Drinking good wine is a ceremony with its special rules and mantras and it is impossible without white wine glasses of the best quality. Enjoying the taste of the beverage can be encouraged by fine drinking glasses, the melody of clinking glasses conjures up a very special, incomparable atmosphere. Drink your best white wine (or let it be red, it depends) and appreciate life and love.