7 White Wines That Are Not Sweet And Taste Delicious
When it comes to wines, red wine is often the safer, go-to option for many. But if you’ve never really given white wines a try, you’re missing out on a whole new world of wine varieties. For many, white wine can be a bit too sweet or fruity. But there are also many other whites that are more acidic, dry, and crisp, offering diverse options not just for food pairing but also as ideal summer wines.
Haven’t found your perfect white wine yet? Don’t worry! Here, we’ve put together some of the best white wines that are not sweet, but offer the perfect balance of acidity, minerality, and dryness.
7 White Wines That Are Not Sweet
Before we get to our wine list, let us first understand what makes certain wines sweeter or drier than others.
In wine terminology, the word “dry” is often used to describe wines that are not sweet. And this dryness depends on how much sugar a wine has.
During fermentation, the sugar in the raw grapes gets converted into alcohol. And when the winemaker halts the process before the malolactic fermentation is completed, the wine is left with residual sugar. This sugar is responsible for giving the wine its naturally sweet flavor.
A wine that has 10 grams of residual sugar or less automatically falls under the dry category, while anything above 30 grams is considered sweet wine or commonly referred to as dessert wine.
Dry wines have a very subtle sweetness and are more crisp and acidic.
And now, here are the top seven white wines that are not sweet but still satisfyingly delicious.
1. Chenin Blanc
Image source: Pinterest
One of the more popular and versatile white wines, Chenin Blanc can be very dry or dessert-wine sweet depending on which grapes it is made from. More than 50% of the grapes used to make Chenin Blanc come from South Africa, although other regions, including Argentina, France, and the US also contribute to the source of these grapes.
Chenin Blanc that is dry can have a more acidic, crisp, and zingy flavor with hints of fruitiness. Also known as Pineau de la Loire, this white wine is best paired with pasta, poultry, and seafood.
2. Chardonnay
Image source: Pinterest
As the world’s most popular white wine, Chardonnay is produced in many different regions, which adds to its versatile taste. It generally has refreshingly tropical flavors with oaky notes. Some varieties of this wine are also much drier than others, but it often has moderate acidity and alcohol level.
Since Chardonnay can either be oaked or unoaked, it affects the fruitiness of the wine, which can range from citrusy, lemony flavors to more tropical pineapple and mango notes. When oaked, you will notice distinct hints of butter, vanilla, and cream.
Chardonnay is best enjoyed with seafood, pasta, sushi, and pork tenderloin. When consumed with an appetizer, it’s best paired with Caesar’s salad, shrimp dip, or creamy vegetable soups.
3. Pinot Gris
Image source: Pinterest
Best known for its light, refreshing flavor that makes it perfect for the summer. Both Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio come from the same grape, which is a mutation of Pinot Noir. What makes it unique is that, instead of being white, this grape sports a purplish red color.
When these grapes are fully ripened and processed, you’ll be treated with a wine that has low acidity and a fresh zingy taste. Pair it with spicy food or even seasoned seafood like grilled shrimp, and you’ll be amazed at the play of flavors in your mouth.
4. Sauvignon Blanc
Image source: Pinterest
If you ask a white wine lover for a wine recommendation, Sauvignon blanc will undoubtedly be among the top choices. It’s known for being wonderfully dry and having just the right amount of acidity and zest.
This medium-bodied white wine offered layered flavors without overwhelming our palate, making it the perfect wine to pair with almost any meal. Food pairings for the Sauvignon Blanc vary from salads and seafood to chicken and pavlova. It is also a great drink when feasting on fresh vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cucumbers.
5. Riesling
Image source: Pinterest
Another dry wine that is pleasant to the palate is the Riesling, which comes from a variety of grapes with the same name. This wine is available in different types, including sparkling, sweet, dry, and somewhere in between, but when it comes to its dry version, you’d be happy with its intense acidity and dryness.
It has lovely fruity aromas that balance out the acidity. This one’s a refreshing wine that goes well with plenty of meals, including Asian and Indian cuisine as well as with spicy seafood.
6. Torrontés
Image source: Pinterest
An exceptional white wine from Argentina, Torrontés has a noticeably dry, refreshing, and crisp profile. It is one of the few wines that boasts a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. It is also a fragrant wine with fruity aromas that stand in sharp contrast to its dry taste.
This is also one of the few wines that don’t age well as it loses its complex aromas and flavors over time. It’s best consumed young, within a year of production. This dry wine pairs with almost everything from chicken and sushi to shrimp pasta.
7. Albariño
Image source: Pinterest
A lovely offering from Spain and Portugal, this is one of the best white wines that are not too sweet or too dry. In Portugal, this wine is referred to as Alvarinho. This wine features light, fresh notes with flavors leaning towards citrus fruits like lemons and oranges.
What makes it stand out as a dry white wine is its high acidity and delicate saltiness. Seafood lovers will love pairing the Albariño with seafood pasta, ceviche, shrimp, and lobsters.
