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7 popular types of white wine

Different types of white wine work for every occasion – from weddings to casual backyard barbecues. Ranging in style from crisp and bright to juicy and rich, there’s a bottle to suit every wine lover.

Australia may be famed for its big, bold reds, but it’s also home to some great white wines, including world-class Chardonnay and Riesling.

The quality of the grapes is paramount, but what type of white wine should you take to lunch with friends or pair with your weekend meal – and why? Get to know the star players and what makes them so good.

Popular types of white wine

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a white wine grape that makes some of the world’s most popular white wines. Originally from the Burgundy region of France, it’s grown worldwide and is one of Australia’s most widely planted grape varieties, particularly in regions such as the Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills.

Chardonnay wine has flavours that range from vibrant citrus and green apple notes to tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple. When aged in oak, its flavours develop and become more complex. Oaked Chardonnay is richer, with a creamier taste and notes of vanilla, butter and toast.

Because of its variety of styles, Chardonnay is incredibly food-friendly. Unoaked Chardonnay can be successfully paired with seafood, salads and fresh cheeses. A full-bodied oaked style pairs perfectly with roast poultry and creamy, buttery sauces.

Shop our full range of international Chardonnay wines, from dry and crisp to creamy and fruity.

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio, also known as Pinot Gris, is a widely loved white wine known for its refreshing, easy-drinking style. Although Italian Pinot Grigio is world-renowned, the grape grows in several regions in Australia, including the Adelaide Hills and Victoria’s King Valley.

With a light-to-medium body and crisp acidity, Pinot Grigio wines shine with flavours of green apple, pear, citrus and floral notes.

This crisp light white is incredibly food-friendly. It pairs well with equally light dishes such as seafood, chicken and leafy salads. It also pairs deliciously with creamy pasta and risotto.

Shop our full range of refreshing Pinot Grigio wines.

Riesling

Vibrant and elegant with a zippy freshness, Riesling is a white wine prized for its versatility. It can range from very dry to very sweet, but Riesling is typically characterised by high acidity and notes of green apple, citrus and peach. It can also display a unique mineral-like quality.

Riesling is a great companion to a wide variety of foods. Its high acidity and range of sweetness levels can handle everything from salty and spicy dishes to rich, creamy ones. Crack open a bottle when enjoying Thai cuisine, fresh local king prawns, or a classic pork roast.

Clare Valley, Eden Valley and Great Southern are all known for their excellent Riesling. Try Pikes Traditionale Clare Valley Riesling 2022, an award-winning bottle with notes of lemon and lime, just-ripened stone fruit and white florals.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is known for its vibrant and diverse range of flavours. This grape is usually grown in cool climates and creates refreshing wines filled with passion fruit and citrus, capsicum and gooseberry, and a freshly cut grass aroma. Standout Sauvignon Blanc wines hail from the Marlborough region of New Zealand’s South Island, but excellent offerings come from Tasmania, the Adelaide Hills and Margaret River in Australia. In warmer regions, this grape ripens fully to produce wine with a delightful mix of tropical fruits, grapefruit, white peach and melon.

Sauvignon Blanc is great for all occasions, whether it’s a casual picnic or a formal dinner. It goes really well with seafood and tangy dishes such as ceviche and grilled chicken especially if served with a fresh, herby sauce, dressing or a squeeze of citrus. Fresh goat’s cheese is another winning combination.

Browse our range of premium Sauvignon Blanc wines.

Semillon

Semillon is a golden-skinned grape native to the Bordeaux region in France. Often blended with Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon can be made in a dry style, but it also produces lusciously sweet dessert wines, the most famous of which is Sauternes.

In Australia, it is particularly associated with the dry whites of the Hunter Valley region in New South Wales, where it is used to produce unique wines that are known for their ageing potential. The Barossa Valley in South Australia is another region known for producing Semillon wines. Typically, Australian Semillon is characterised by its medium body, lower alcohol content, and flavours of citrus and green apple when young, developing honey, beeswax, toasted almond and hay notes as it matures.

This wine’s moderate acidity and range of flavours make it versatile for food. Young, dry Semillon can pair well with seafood, while aged or sweet styles (like those from Sauternes) work beautifully with cheeses or on their own as a dessert wine. Another classic pairing is a sweet Semillon with crème brûlée.

Try a bottle of lip-smacking Steeple Block Semillon 2023 – citrusy, bright and crisp.

Viognier

Viognier is one of the most distinctive white wine varieties, known for its perfumed aromas and rich, full-bodied character. While it’s most famous in France’s Rhône Valley, Viognier is grown in several Australian regions, including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Yarra Valley.

Viognier wines are typically full-bodied with moderate acidity and fairly high alcohol levels. The wine’s intense aromas of stone fruits combine with floral notes of honeysuckle and violet (some winemakers add a touch of Viognier to their Shiraz to enhance the wine’s aromas). When aged in oak, Viognier can develop hints of vanilla and spice.

Its aromatic character and full body make Viognier a good match for rich, creamy dishes like lobster bisque or chicken alfredo. It also pairs well with spicy Asian cuisines, its fruity sweetness balancing the dishes’ heat.

You’ll love the rich apricot and tropical fruit flavours of Way & Cat Viognier 2022.

Grüner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner originates from Austria but has found a home in the Adelaide Hills wine region.

This popular white is known for its light, refreshing character and herbaceous, white pepper and stone fruit flavours underlined by a strong citrus note.

Grüner Veltliner’s balance of fruitiness and acidity means it pairs well with various foods – from salads and seafood to spicy Asian dishes. It’s often recommended as a go-to choice for veggie dishes centred around artichokes and asparagus, which are sometimes tricky to pair with wine.

For a taste of elegant, home-grown Grüner Veltliner, try a bottle of Tomich Wines Woodside Vineyard Adelaide Hills Grüner Veltliner.