White Wine – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Alcohol

What is white wine?

White wine is a type of alcohol made from fermented grapes. It’s made primarily from “white” grapes, which are actually yellow or green in color. White wines are typically served chilled and are also commonly used for cooking. 

Where did white wine originate from?

The first use of white wine has been traced back to Iran, approximately 7,500 years ago. However, it’s entirely possible that it was consumed far before then. There’s also evidence that it was used prevalently throughout the Middle East in the third millennium BC and Ancient Greece.

What are the benefits of drinking white wine?

If you’re a fan of drinking white wine, you’ll be glad to know there are many health benefits of doing so! It has been shown to lower cholesterol, help balance blood sugar, and boost brain function. White wine also has antioxidants that can help protect your heart. It’s also a good source of epicatechin, quercetin, and resveratrol – all types of antioxidants that can help promote weight loss.

Just remember that the benefits of white wine come from consuming it in moderation. Over-indulging can lead to issues, so it’s best to stick to a glass or two at a time!

What varieties are white wine are available?

There are many types of white wine, and they are very different from each other. The variations come from different kinds of grapes, winemaking techniques, and ratios of residual sugar.

Dry white wine, like a Chardonnay, is one of the most popular. Other common varieties of white wine include Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Chenin Blanc, Albarino, and Viognier.

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Hogue Chardonnay White Wine (750 ml)

Barefoot Moscato White Wine (750 ml)

Teperberg Chardonnay Dry White Wine (750 ml)

Veuve Clicquot Champagne (375 ml)

White Wine (750 ml)

How is white wine made?

White wine is fermented without any contact with the grape’s skin. Instead, it comes entirely from the non-colored grape pulp. This prevents the skin from adding any color to the wine and from imparting high levels of tannins. When yeast is added to the grape juice, it starts the fermentation process and adds flavor and aroma.

White wine usually needs to ferment for 2-4 weeks while kept at or below 59 degrees F°. Once it’s fermented, winemakers often age the wine in oak barrels, which can bring coconut or vanilla flavors into the mix. When the wine is done barrel aging, it’s bottled, sealed with a cork, and aged even longer to bring out complex flavors that develop from contact with the oxygen and the cork.

What is the shelf life of white wine?

While you may have heard that wine gets better with age, this doesn’t mean all wine can be stored indefinitely. While unopened wine will last for some time, it can go bad. Generally, the average bottle of white wine remains good for 1-2 years past the expiration date printed on the bottle. A fine white wine can last 10-20 years, but only if it’s stored properly in a wine cellar.

Once a bottle of wine is open, the amount of time it stays good will vary depending on the type of wine. A light white wine should be good for 4-5 days, while a rich white will remain good for 3-5 days.

What should you look for when buying white wine?

Since there are so many different types of white wine, the most important thing is to make sure you’re buying the right variety. For example, a sweet Moscato will taste completely different than a Dry Chardonnay. If you’re not sure, look for descriptions on the label. Terms like “crisp,” “creamy,” “dry,” or “oaky” will all help give you an idea of what you can expect your wine to taste like.

Instacart’s alcohol delivery service makes it easy to shop for white wine! You can also make sure you get the perfect white wine by using the “instructions” tab to add special requests and instructions to your order.

How to store white wine

Unopened white wine should be stored in a cool, dark place. Keep wine bottles on their side, as this will prevent the cork from drying out.

Once a bottle of wine is opened, things like light, heat, oxygen, yeast, and bacteria can all cause chemical reactions that impact its quality. For the best results, you’ll want to store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. This will slow down the chemical reactions, so it tastes good for longer.

Before storage, white wine should always be decanted (slowly poured out of the bottle and into a new container). Using a vacuum stopper can also remove some of the oxygen from the bottle, slowing the aging process. 

How to tell if white wine is bad

Some oxygen is good for wine. It opens up the bouquet, which is why you swirl wine before drinking it. However, too much oxygen (also called oxidation) will give it an unpleasant vinegar-like taste.

Luckily, you don’t always have to taste a wine to determine whether it has gone bad. You can start by simply looking at it. When white wines have started to go bad from oxidation, they will turn a deeper yellow color and eventually turn brown. If you notice that the color of your wine has changed, there’s a good chance that it has gone bad.

A still (non-carbonated) wine that suddenly has bubbles has gone bad. If you hear a “pop” like a champagne bottle or a fizzing sound when opening a bottle of wine that’s still, it’s best not to drink it.

White wine that smells like vinegar or smells musty has gone bad, as has a bottle of dry wine that suddenly smells sweet. If you’re still not sure, go ahead and taste the wine. If it has a vinegar flavor, tastes fizzy, or lacks flavor, it has gone bad.

What can you substitute for white wine?

Can’t find your favorite white wine in the store? You’ll have to make a substitution. Depending on the type of white wine you’re looking for, you may be able to find another variety that has a similar flavor profile. For drinking, you may want to substitute a bottle of Champagne. These range from dry to sweet, so look for a type with the same flavor profile you’re used to.

If you need a substitute for cooking with white wine, there are many options. Depending on what you’re making, you could substitute white wine vinegar, ginger ale, white grape juice, apple juice, or lemon juice.

Shop for white wine today

If you’re thinking about enjoying a bottle of white wine with your dinner, you’ll be glad to know you don’t have to make a special trip to the store. Instacart now offers alcohol delivery so that you can enjoy same-day delivery/pick-up of your groceries, wine, beer, and spirits, all with a few clicks of a button. To see how easy it is, head on over and check out Instacart today!

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 85,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.