White wines tend to evoke feelings of refreshment and relaxation. Sure, popular white wine varieties like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay tend to be zippy and light, which makes them ideal for balancing the saline-kissed sweetness of fresh seafood. But a healthy chunk of white wine’s magic is its vibe. Despite the rich, complex characteristics white wines express in aroma and on the palate, they’re often not perceived as austere or serious as red wines. This can make them appear more fun and approachable, which is why the category is widely considered a fail-safe crowd-pleaser.
But sometimes, a white wine may spell disappointment, especially when the bottle carries some hype. There could be numerous reasons a bottle might be considered overrated: It could be due to the region of origin, a specific variety, or the winemaking technique involved. It won’t necessarily ruin the intended vibe, but it can lessen the experience.
What white wines tend to fall short in building the ideal atmosphere? We asked nine wine professionals to find out. Here’s what they had to say.
The most overrated white wines, according to wine professionals: Over-oaked whites New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs Sancerre Pinot Gris “Low-calorie” wines Wines with Macabeo grapes California Chardonnay
“Over-oaked whites — particularly over-oaked Chardonnay — is my pick for most overrated white wine. Heavy use of oak can mask and cover up off-flavors and aromas in wine, but it also masks and covers up fruit character, earthiness, and other natural characteristics of
