top white wine varietals

This list comprises some of the world's top white wine varietals, but there are hundreds of varieties of white wine grapes throughout the globe. Use our Wine Pairing Guide to discover what each tastes like so you can select the perfect white wine.

Airén - The world's most commonly planted white wine grape variety, it is widely grown in Spain and is used to make light, dry wines.

Chardonnay - The most important and expensive white grape, it is now grown all over the world. Nearly all French white Burgundy wines are made from 100% Chardonnay.

Chenin Blanc - This white grape is grown in the Loire Valley region of France, as well as California and South Africa, where it is known as Steen.

Gewürztraminer - This spicy white grape is grown in Alsace, France, as well as in California and Germany.

Muscat/Moscato - This family of grapes has hundreds of varieties that range from white to black-skinned and produces fruity, softly perfumed wines. The grapes are grown in temperate climates including Australia, Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and the U.S. to produce a wide range of styles, including sparkling and sweet dessert wines.

Pinot Grigio - This wine grape variety is used to make the most popular white wine in Italy. This grape is also known as Pinot Gris in France and Oregon.

Pinot Gris - A grape variety in the Pinot family with a grayish to pinkish skin color, it is used to produce a range of white and pale rose wines. It produces particularly good, rich white wines in the Alsace region of France, but is also popular in Italy, Germany, Eastern Europe and Oregon.

Riesling - This white grape is grown primarily in Alsace, Germany, Washington, Australia and California.

Sauvignon Blanc - This white grape is grown primarily in the Loire Valley, Graves, and Sauternes regions of France, as well as in Washington and California (where it is sometimes called Fumé Blanc). The newest emerging region is New Zealand.

Sémillon - This white grape is found primarily in the Graves and Sauternes regions of Bordeaux, France, it is used to make the famous dessert wines for Sauternes and Barsac.

Viognier - This white grape is from the Rhône Valley region of France and California.