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Chardonnay. Pinot Gris. Riesling. Sure, they sound fancy, but what do they actually mean? To someone just getting introduced to the world of wine, not much. Here are some wine selection tips for five of the most popular white wines.

Chardonnay is the number one selling wine in America and continues to gain in popularity as a good dry white wine for the beginner. Part of it's success is due to the fact that the Chardonnay grape is a very low-maintenance vine that adapts easily to a variety of climates and results in high yields around the world. Because of it's tremendous production value, a good Chardonnay can typically be found for around $10. Chardonnays can have a range of tones from buttery oak to apple, pear, citrus and melon. This wine works well with poultry, pork, seafood and many cream-based dishes.

Pinot Blanc is a medium-dry to dry white that hails from the Alsace region of France but is also grown in Germany, Italy and Hungary. It is a lighter flavored white wine with citrus, melon, pear, apricot and occasionally smokey or mineral undertones depending upon the soil in which it is grown. Because oak is not used in the maturation process, Pinot Blanc is a lighter flavored white wine which pairs nicely with seafood, light-flavored meats, mild cheeses and light to medium sauces.

Pinot Grigio is Italy's most popular white wine and is produced from the Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris grape. This light, crisp wine is grown in the northeast region of Veneto and Friuli and is meant to be consumed early. Pinot Grigio is noted for having smooth, silky overtones which leave a distinct impression on the palate. It's flavors range from melon to pear with the occasional hint of tropical or citrus fruit. Pinot Grigio is a fairly acidic wine and is best served with light pastas, seafood and cheese and crackers.

Riesling wines originated in the Rhein and Mosel river valleys of Germany, worked their way into today's white wine market and spawned many impostors. Only Johannisberg Riesling and White Riesling are considered "authentic" Rieslings as they are they are the only varieties made from the Riesling grape. This wine spans a wide range of dry and sweet styles. Dry Rieslings are commonly labeled tocken while the sweeter varieties will say Auslese. Rieslings have fruity aromas of apple, peach and pear with floral and mineral undertones. They can stand up to spicy Asian foods and work well with appetizers, desserts, poultry, pork and fish.

While Sauvignon Blanc originated in the Loire Valley of France, the grape is also grown in the cool Marlborough region of New Zealand. Sauvignon Blanc from France is a dry white wine with herbal tones while the New Zealand variety sports exotic gooseberry and tropical fruit flavors. It is a crisp and refreshing light to medium bodied wine and is extremely versatile pairing well with earthy foods such as artichoke dip, vegetable dishes and dips, Thai food, sushi, fragrant Greek and Caesar salads, and more.

You can learn about red wine for the beginner and get more wine selection tips for finding $50 quality wines for $10 or less at http://wineforthebeginner.blogspot.com

Source: www.articlesbase.com