White wine is the most versatile wine there is. It can be enjoyed for a special occasion as well as for a simple lunch with friends or family. Because it is lighter and fresher than red wine, it is usually the wine of choice in summer.
But the variety of white wines is vast (and of high quality), which means that many people sometimes don’t know the characteristics that differentiate them and, consequently, which one to choose. If that’s the case and you’re looking for new labels, this article is for you.
What should I know about white wine?
White wine is produced from white grapes. Some of the grape varieties used in this type of wine are: Antão Vaz, Arinto, Fernão Pires, Moscatel and Viognier. They are generally grape varieties with good acidity, extremely aromatic and sometimes floral. Their color can vary from light straw with greenish tinges to golden yellow.
What types of white wine are there?
There are different types of white wine. It all depends on the grape variety, the climate, the soil, the age and the method used to produce it. Thus, taking into account the ageing period, we can have a young or aged white wine.
Some people often think that the longer a wine is bottled, the better it is. And although there are some wines that need more time to mature, it is also possible to have a good tasting experience with young white wines. But what’s the difference between them?
Young white wines are particularly fruity and floral, with good acidity and balance.
On the other hand, aged white wines, with a more intense aroma due to ageing, have a persistent taste in the mouth.
There are white wines to suit all tastes. They can be dry or semi-dry and can be enjoyed on a wide variety of occasions. But the truth is that the choice of white wine will depend on the dish it is to accompany.
How to pair white wine
The good news is that white wines are easier to pair than red wines. Let’s start with the starters.
Starters
For lighter dishes such as salads, cheeses and seafood, the lighter and more aromatic young white wines are ideal as an aperitif before meals. They should be consumed at a temperature of between 8º and 10ºC.
Fish and poultry
For fish dishes, opt for a smooth young white wine with a fruity aroma and citrus notes. For more intense dishes with fatty fish, such as salmon or cod, and white meats such as chicken or rabbit, we recommend a full-bodied white wine, which should be served at a temperature of around 12ºC to 14ºC.
Pasta
Although it is common to associate white wines with appetizers and fish, it can also be interesting to accompany pasta with a very fresh white wine, which can be a young wine or a more full-bodied one. In this specific case, the choice will depend on the main ingredients of the sauce.
Desserts
To finish off a meal and for sweet dishes, there’s nothing better than a fresh, aromatic white wine.
Now that you know what types of white wine there are and what dishes to pair them with, all that’s left to do is choose. To help you, here are some suggestions from our winemaker.
White Wine Cadeado Península de Setúbal
Cadeado Península de Setúbal is an excellent choice for those looking for a high quality white wine with a unique taste.
Produced in the Setúbal Peninsula from the white grapes Fernão Pires, Antão Vaz and Arinto, this wine has an intense, floral aroma with hints of citrus fruit and is very versatile in terms of food pairing.
It is perfect with white fish dishes, seafood, roast chicken, fettuccine Alfredo, as well as strong cheeses such as goat’s cheese.
White Wine Cadeado Regional Alentejano
Cadeado Regional Alentejano is a Portuguese white wine with personality. It is produced in the Alentejo from Viognier and Moscatel grapes, which gives it a special flavor.
It has a smooth texture, but is also light and refreshing, with a long finish reminiscent of lemon and tangerine.
It goes well with fish dishes, salads and can also be enjoyed as an aperitif.