Chardonnay:
grown in the Burgundy and districts of France; in California, eastern Europe and in South America. makes the best dry white wines of California; gives the Blancs de Blancs of Champagne. yields fine, luscious wines; dry, and with great scent and class.

One of the most popular white grape varieties in America and throughout the New World, as well as the white grape of the Burgundy region of France. Very easy to enjoy thanks to its full, round body and buttery, appley flavors laced with toastiness (the latter comes from the oak barrels used in the making of most chardonnays).

Chenin Blanc:
grown in the Loire Valley, France; in California and in South America. Fine white wine grape; grown for Vouvray, Coteaux du Layon and Savennières in the Loire. Gives soft, scented wines, generally with a slight sweetness, best when not too dry.

Gewürztraminer:
Grown in Alsace, France; in Germany, Austria, northern Italy, and in California. A superior selection of Traminer; gives full-bodied wines with a characteristic "spicy" flavor. Has reddish berries that give white juice, very full in flavor

Johannisberg Riesling:
Grown in central Europe, Australia, and California; outstanding grape, grown for the great wines of the Rhine and Mosel regions in Germany. Gives excellent results in California, best when not too dry Also called White Riesling.

Muscat:
Grown in the Mediterranean region; also in northern Italy, in France, and California; excellent sweet grape; grown for Asti Spumante, the famous Italian sparkling wine. Known as Moscato, produces outstanding sweet dessert wines in Italy and in California

Pinot Blanc:
Grown in the Champagne and Burgundy districts of France; in Alsace, Germany, Italy and California; very similar to Chardonnay, giving wines of the same character and class, but being phased out generally in favor of Chardonnay.

Pinot gris':
grown in Alsace, France; Germany, Switzerland, and northern Italy; a cousin of the red Pinot Noir. Called Pinot Grigio in Italy, Rulander in Germany, and Malvoisie in Switzerland. Gives fine, full-bodied white wines, with a fine bouquet.

Like pinot blanc, one of the white grapes of the pinot family, and like riesling and gewurztraminer, pinot grigio loves cold climates. The most renowned pinot grigios come from the northernmost regions of Italy, especially those regions that border the Alps, as well as Alsace, where it is know as pinot gris' or, confusingly, as "tokay". In the U.S., Oregon is emerging as the top state for delicious lively pinot gris' with light almond, lemon and vanilla flavors.

Sauvignon Blanc:
Grown in the upper Loire Valley, France; in Bordeaux, Chile, Australia, and California; very fine grape, grown for Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume in the Loire, and Graves blanc and Sauternes in Bordeaux. Gives equally good dry or sweet wines, sometimes call Fumé Blanc to identify a deliberately dry style, from 100% varietal.

Sémillon:
Grown in the Bordeaux district of France, in South America, Australia, and California; the second important grape in white Graves and Sauternes from Bordeaux; excellent for sweet wines, best when not totally dry. often blended with Sauvignon Blanc.

Trebbiano:
Grown in Italy and France; some acreage in California; known as Ugni Blanc in France, grown for brandy production; a chief grape used for Soave, Orvieto, Frascati, and other Italian whites. Also known as "Saint-Émilion."