20 Most Popular White Wine Grapes in the World

Which are the white wine grapes that go into making your favorite wine? 

You’re probably familiar with the popular ones like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling. What’s exciting is that there are hundreds of different white wine grapes!  Explore the 20 most popular white wine grapes, their origins, flavors, aromas, and the best dishes to pair with them.

20 Most Popular White Wine Grapes (and Their Characteristics, Food Pairing, Best Wines)

Here are the most popular white wine grapes in the world:

1. Chardonnay

Chardonnay originated in Burgundy, France.d Today, this white varietal is grown all over the world and is especially popular in California and Australia. 

The Chardonnay grape is used to make oaked and unoaked white wine, and sparkling wine.

The Chardonnay wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Lemons, peaches, apples, and tropical fruit
• Flavors: Classic butter, oak, and mineral notes
• Color: Golden-yellow

Pair this wine with:

• Fish
• Creamy pasta
• White meats like chicken

Best wines:

• 2013 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France ($25,066)
• 2017 Chanin Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, USA ($45)

2. Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape variety that originated in the French regions Bordeaux and Loire Valley. The grapes produce crisp and dry wine styles.

Sauvignon Blanc wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Freshly cut grass, passion fruit, gooseberries, blackcurrant leaf
• Flavors: Tropical fruit, elderflower, grass
• Color: Lemongrass

Pair Sauvignon Blanc wine with:

• Sushi
• Light chicken dishes
• Seafood like oysters and Asian style stone bass

Best wines:

• 2013 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc, Oakville, USA ($7,988)
• 2018 Casa Marin Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, San Antonio Valley, Chile ($23)

3. Pinot Gris

The red-skinned Pinot Gris (also known as Pinot Grigio) grape is part of the Pinot family, along with the Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc grape varieties. 

The Pinot Gris grape was first grown in France and Italy, but today it’s planted worldwide. Each region produces different expressions of Pinot Gris. For example, New Zealand makes spicy, full-bodied wine from the Pinot Grigio grape, while other areas focus on lighter-bodied wines.

Pinot Gris wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Lemon, pear, and apricot notes
• Flavors: Green apple and fruity notes
• Color: Golden apple

Pair Pinot Grigio wine with:

• Grilled and oven-roasted chicken dishes
• Pasta with creamy sauces
• Cheese

Best wines:

• 2017 Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Altenbourg Quintessence de Grains Nobles, Alsace, France ($748)
• 2015 Albert Mann Pinot Gris Furstentum, Alsace Grand Cru, France ($38)

4. Semillon

The Semillon grape originally comes from Bordeaux, France. It’s also grown in South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, California, and Chile. 

The Semillon grape skin is golden-colored, and the berry is susceptible to noble rot. 

Winemakers use the Semillon grape variety to make world-class sweet wine and dry white wine, along with other grape varietals like Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and Chardonnay. It’s also used to make fortified wine.

Semillon wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Herbs, asparagus, nettle, gooseberry, lemon, wax, and lanolin notes
• Flavors: Lime zest, lemon, grapefruit, butter, mango, papaya notes 
• Color: Deep amber 

Pair this wine with:

• Tangy and sharp cheese
• Sushi
• Oysters
• Crepes with caramel or salted caramel sauces

Best wines:

• 1929 Chateau Caillou, Sauternes, France ($1,116)
• 2014 Chateau Coutet, Sauternes - Barsac, France ($49)

5. Gewurztraminer

The Gewurztraminer grape varietal was first cultivated in Alsace, a wine region in France, situated along the German border. It’s also grown in Italy, Austria, Germany, and Eastern Europe.

This fragrant grape variety has pink-colored grape skin and produces a dry wine with a rich body, high alcohol content, and about 2 grams of residual sugar. 

Gewurztraminer wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Roses, flowers, and fruity aroma notes
• Flavor: Orange bloom, lychee, and spice hints
• Color: Warm yellow

Pair this wine with:

• Fruit salads
• Quiche
• Pad Thai
• Asian sauces
• Indian food
• Dried nuts and fruit

Best wines:

• 2002 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenbourg Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace, France ($307)

• 2015 Albert Mann Gewurztraminer Vieilles Vignes Furstentum, Alsace Grand Cru, France ($32)

6. Chenin Blanc

The Chenin Blanc white grape variety originated in France’s Loire Valley. It’s also popular in the Anjou region of France. Today, this white wine grape variety is widely planted in South Africa and grown in New Zealand, Argentina, and the United States.

The Chenin Blanc grape is used in the making of dry white wine and dessert wine. 

Chenin Blanc wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Apple, flowers, and honey
• Flavors: Stone fruits and honeysuckle
• Color: Light straw

Pair this wine with:

• Smoked salmon
• Herb crusted goat cheese
• Cream cheese, cheddar, and gruyere

Best wines:

• 1993 Clos Rougeard Saumur Blanc Breze, Loire, France ($599)

• 2015 Domaine Huet Vouvray 'Le Mont' Premiere Trie Moelleux, Loire, France ($67)

7. Pinot Blanc

Pinot Blanc was first cultivated in Alsace, France, but the grape can also be found in the Burgundy wine region. 

This white wine grape variety is also grown in other wine regions where it’s called different names:

• Germany: Wissburgunder
• Austria: Klevner
• Italy and Spain: Pinot Bianco

Pinot Blanc wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Spice and almond notes
• Flavors: Creamy, fruity notes, citrus, and smoke
• Color: Pale yellow

Pair this wine with:

• Fish
• White meat
• Soft cheese
• Salads
• Creamy sauces and dressings

Best wines:

• 2006 Domaine Henri Gouges La Perriere Blanc, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, France ($202)

• 2016 Cantina Terlano-Kellerei Terlan 'Vorberg' Riserva Pinot Bianco Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy ($32)

8. Viognier

Viognier is a thick-skinned white grape varietal that originated in France’s Rhone wine region. It also grows in Australia, New Zealand, California, Argentina, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy. 

In addition to white wines, Viognier grapes are used in small quantities with the Syrah grape varietal to make red wine.

Viognier wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Spicy, fruity, and floral notes
• Flavor: Vanilla, Jasmine, white pepper, apricots, and pears
• Color: Bright yellow

Pair this wine with:

• Savory orange chicken
• Teriyaki tofu
• Pork chops with apricot sauce

Best wines:

• 2005 Chateau-Grillet, Rhone, France ($463)
• 2018 Delas Freres Condrieu Clos Boucher, Rhone, France ($52)

9. Roussanne

The Roussanne grape varietal originated in the Rhone Valley, France. It gets its name from “roux,” which is French for russet — the golden, red-brown color of the grape.

This fragrant white wine grape variety is also grown in Italy, the United States, and Australia, among other countries.

Rousane wine is full-bodied and is often blended with the white grape varietals Grenache Blanc and Marsanne. 

Roussanne wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Peaches, herbs, and fresh flowers
• Flavors: Apricot, lemon, camomile, beeswax, and brioche
• Color: Light gold

Pair this wine with:

• Pate
• Veal
• Roast chicken
• Soft and hard cheese
• Cream sauces

Best wines:

• 2018 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes, Rhone, France ($172)
• 2018 Cave Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Digue, Rhone, France ($26)

10. Marsanne

The Marsanne grape varietal was first grown in Northern Rhone, France, and is also grown in California and Australia.

It’s mainly used as a blending grape alongside Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Roussanne grape varietals. The wine is medium-low in acidity.

Marsanne wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Flowers, roasted nuts, white peaches, and spice
• Flavors: Mandarin orange, apricot, acacia, and beeswax
• Color: Straw with golden-green hints

Pair this wine with:

• Shellfish
• Meats like pork, veal, and chicken
• Dishes with spices 
• Thai and Vietnamese food

Best wines:

• 2013 M. Chapoutier Ermitage 'L'Ermite Blanc', Rhone, France ($779)
• 2018 Domaine Alain Voge Saint-Peray Fleur de Crussol, Rhone, France ($34)

11. Muscat

The Muscat grape varietal is one of the oldest grapes in France. Its origins date back to ancient Rome and Greece, and the vines were first planted along the Mediterranean coast near the fishing port, Sete.

This white grape has about 200 varieties, but only three main Moscato grape varietals are used in the making of  sweet wine and sparkling wine:

• Muscat of Alexandria
• Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (known as Moscato Bianco in Italy)
• Muscat Ottonel

Muscat grape varieties are also grown in Germany, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Australia, and Chile.

Moscato wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Strong fruity perfume and floral notes of orange bloom and rose petal
• Flavors: Fresh herbs, pear, peach, and apricot fruit flavor notes
• Color: Yellow, pink

Pair this wine with:

• Cured meats
• Medium-firm cheeses
• Spicy food

Best wines:

• 1875 D'Oliveiras Moscatel Reserva Vintage, Madeira, Portugal ($1,629)
• 2012 Domaine Gauby La Roque Blanc, IGP Cotes Catalanes, France ($95)

12. Riesling

Riesling is Germany’s most planted grape varietal. The Riesling grape variety originated in the German wine region Rhine, but it also grows in the sub-regions Rheingau and Mosel.

The noble white wine grape grows in cooler climates, including California, Washington State, Australia, France, and New York. Riesling is used in the making of different wine styles like dry Riesling, sweet Riesling, and sparkling Riesling wines.

Riesling wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Flowers and tropical fruit notes
• Flavors: Jasmine, beeswax, green apple, lime, and some petrol notes
• Color: Pale yellow

Pair this Riesling wine with:

• Spicy food
• Fish
• Poultry with light sauces
• White meat

Best wines:

• 2003 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel, Germany ($24,534)
• 2016 Weingut Seehof Westhofener Morstein Riesling Alte Reben, Rheinhessen, Germany ($32)

13. Silvaner

Silvaner is an old grape varietal that’s mainly grown in Alsace, France, and Western Germany. 

It rose in popularity during the Second World War when the grapes were used to make the Liebfraumilch German blend. Today, Silvaner is Germany’s third most popular grape varietal. 

Silvaner wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Citrus, herbs, spice, and almond
• Flavor: Almond, citrus peel, apple and pineapple
• Color: Light pear color

Pair this wine with:

• Salads
• Tapas
• Grilled fish

Best wines:

• 2018 Weingut Zehnthof Theo Luckert Creutz Sylvaner Trocken, Franken, Germany ($114)
• 2017 Rene Mure Sylvaner Vorbourg Clos Saint Landelin Cuvee Oscar, Alsace, France ($44)

14. Muller-Thurgau

The Muller-Thurgau (or Rivaner) grape varietal was created in 1882 by crossing Riesling with Madeleine Royale grapes in Switzerland. Today, Muller-Thurgau is the second most planted grape in Germany. 

The grape also grows in other parts of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. 

Muller-Thurgau wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Flowers, green apple, sweet peach, and herbaceous notes
• Flavor: Citrus and almond notes
• Color: Straw yellow with green hints

Pair this wine with:

• White fish
• Asparagus 
• Salads
• Mushroom tart
• Roasted pork

Best wines:

• 2015 Tiefenbrunner 'Feldmarschall von Fenner zu Fennberg' Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy ($52) 
• 2018 Weingut Kofererhof Muller-Thurgau Alto Adige Valle Isarco, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy ($12)

15. Gruner Veltliner

The Gruner Veltliner grape varietal is the national grape of Austria and makes up one-third of the vineyard plantings.

The white wine grape also grows in Slovenia, Czech Republic, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, and the United States.

Gruner Veltliner wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Citrus fruit, pineapple, almond, herbs, cucumber, and white pepper notes
• Flavor: Herbs, lemon, and grapefruit notes
• Color: Pale green

Pair this wine with:

• Sauteed kidneys
• Artichoke and grilled asparagus

Best wines:

• 2003 F.X. Pichler 'Unendlich' Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau, Austria ($462)
• 2015 Gut Oggau Mechthild Weiss, Burgenland, Austria ($133)

16. Torrontes

The Torrontes grape varietal is grown only in Argentina and has three varieties:

• Torrontes Riojani
• Torrontes Sanjuanino
• Torrontes Mendocino 

The resulting wines have intense aromas, medium-high acidity and a smooth texture. 

Torrontes wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Peach and apricot notes
• Flavor: Lemon peel, flowers, and citrus
• Color: Green apple

Pair this wine with:

• Thai peanut curries
• Coconut curries
• Fish
• Poultry

Best wines:

• 2016 Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Late Harvest Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina ($36)
• 2019 Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Signature Barrel Fermented Torrontes, Uco Valley, Argentina ($21)

17. Garganega

Garganega is a popular grape that originated in Veneto, Italy. It produces crisp dry wine that became widely popular in the 1960s and the 1970s. 

Garganega wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Toasted almond and tangerine notes
• Flavor: Honeydew, almonds, plum and fruity notes
• Color: Pale yellow

Pair this Italian wine with:

• Seafood like scallops, lobster, and fish
• Butter with chives
• Tofu

Best wines:

• 1990 Giuseppe Quintarelli 'Amabile del Cere' Passito Bianco Veneto IGT, Italy ($784)
• 2014 Cantina Pra Passito Bianco delle Fontane Veneto IGT, Italy ($59)

18. Verdicchio

The Verdicchio grape comes from Marche, Italy, and gets its name from “verde” (green). 

The characteristics of this Italian white wine:

• Aroma: Herbs, white flowers, peach, and melon notes
• Flavor: Lemon curd, almond, and peach notes
• Color: Light green-yellow (or nearly colorless)

Pair this wine with:

• Seafood paella
• Prawn and sweet potato fritters
• Spaghetti with clams

Best wines:

• 2008 Villa Bucci Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva DOCG, Marche, Italy ($98)
• 2016 Cantine Belisario Cambrugiano, Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG, Italy ($25)

19. Albarino

Albarino (or Alvarinho) originated in Galicia, Spain and predominantly grew along the coastline of Spain and Portugal. The white wine grape is also planted in other wine regions like Australia, Uruguay, Washington, and Oregon. 

Albarino wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Nectarine and peach fruity aroma notes
• Flavor: Lemon zest, saline, and fruit flavor notes 
• Color: Pale straw

Pair this wine with:

• Leafy greens
• White fish and meat
• Semi-hard cheese
• Caesar salad

Best wines:

• 2018 Bodegas y Vinedos Attis 'Attis Mar' Albarino, Galicia, Spain ($103)
• 2018 Bodegas Forjas del Salnes Goliardo A Telleira Albarino Barrica, Rias Baixas, Spain ($29)

20. Airen

The Airen grape varietal is found only in Spain and makes up 30% of all grapes grown in the country. This grape is known for being the most widely planted white wine grape varietal in the world. 

Airen wine characteristics:

• Aroma: Pineapple, apples, citrus fruit, and rose
• Flavor: Banana, apple, and grapefruit
• Color: Almost colorless

Pair this wine with:

• Oyster sauces
• Sardines
• Garlic prawns

Best wines:

• 2016 El Vinculo Alejairen, Castilla La Mancha, Spain ($32)
• 2018 Esencia Rural Pampaneo Airen Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, Spain ($19)

Interestingly,white wine grapes typically have green- or reddish-hued skins. These wine grapes are also sweeter than the dessert white grapes you find at the supermarket. 

It’s Time to Grow Your White Wine Collection!

If you enjoy drinking white wine and are interested in experimenting with other varieties, this list is an excellent place to start. 

And, if you’d like to invest in the finest of white wine bottles, check out Vinovest, a wine investment company that can help you curate a portfolio of fine wines.