Why whites are often less expensive than reds

  • By Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue Great Northwest Wine
  • Friday, March 6, 2015 3:11pm
  • LifeHops and Sips

White wines are generally less expensive that reds for a few reasons.

First of all, the grapes tend to be less expensive to grow than red varieties, and depending on the variety (such as Riesling and Pinot Gris in Washington), the plant can carry a higher crop than reds — often twice as much.

Second of all, making white wines generally takes less time because the wines often go into stainless steel tanks for just a few months before being ready for the bottle. In the case of some varieties, such as Chardonnay or Semillon, they might see the inside of a barrel for a few months. As a result, the wines get to market faster and provide a little better cash flow for the wineries.

Here are several delicious white wines priced at $15 and under that we’ve tasted in recent weeks.

Lone Birch 2012 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $12: The Miller family, owner of Airport Estates has farmed its land near Prosser since before World War II, and a 70-year-old birch tree stands out among its vast vineyards. That lone birch is the icon for this second label. Bright fruit tones of white pear, Granny Smith apple and mango lead to flavors of citrus, jasmine and minerality. (13.8 percent)

Seven Falls Cellars 2012 Chardonnay, Wahluke Slope, $15: This value-minded label for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates focuses on the arid and remote Wahluke Slope, which is the backbone of many Washington wines. Aromas of buttered toast, apricot and lemon curd lead to delicious flavors that ooze with caramel, vanilla and apple pie, yet there’s a cleansing citrusy finish. (13.5 percent)

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2013 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $14: This is a delicious winemaking equation that includes low alcohol and 5 percent residual sugar. Gorgeous aromas of apricot, dried pineapple and beeswax give way to juicy flavors of pineapple, apricot and Pink Lady apple, all presented with great acidity. (8 percent)

Indian Creek Winery 2013 Muscat Canelli, Snake River Valley, $15: Perhaps the Snake River Valley’s most bucolic property, Indian Creek continues its tradition of producing fun and quaffable white wines with this grape that might be the planet’s oldest variety. Lychee, rosewater, Uncola and peach blossom aromas are matched on the palate. There’s sweetness (4.5 percent residual sugar) in Juicy Fruit gum and ambrosia salad flavors, which are balanced by a gradual building of acidity and a note of anise in the finish. (12 percent)

Corvidae Wine Co. 2013 Mirth Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $10: This label for Owen Roe signals a delicious debut with Chardonnay. Its fruit-forward style offers a nose of fresh citrus, pineapple and mint, followed by bright flavors of Granny Smith apple, lime and lemon juice. Alcohol, sugar and acidity are nicely balanced, and the citrus pith finish plays well into suggested pairings such as chanterelle herb frittata, lemon roasted chicken or a smoked salmon salad with mango and avocado. (13 percent)

Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2013 Naked Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $10: There can be some confusion regarding the amount of barrel influence on many examples of Chardonnay, but there’s no oak involved when the term “naked” adorns the label. Sweet pineapple and mango aromas that gather up peach, apricot, tangerine and slate notes lead into a nicely balanced and dry approach of white peach, starfruit and melon. (13 percent)

Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue run Great Northwest Wine (www.greatnorthwestwine.com).

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.