Viognier is traditionally grown in France's northern Rhone valley, but it has also been doing well in the New World, for example California. Viognier wines from France's northern Rhone valley tend towards strong floral aromas; Viognier wines from Languedoc in the south of France tend to be drier, more acidic, lighter in texture, and have more citrus flavors. Wines made with Viognier grapes should generally be drunk young (before 18 months or so) and well-chilled.

Pinot Grigio grape skins are usually greyish-blue and darker than those of other white wine grapes, giving the appearance more common to red grapes. These grapes are frequently called Pinot Gris — "Pinot" means pine cone and "gris" means "grey" in French. Pinot Grigio wines tend to have deeper colors than other white wines. Pinot Grigio flavors and aromas include fruit rinds, orange peel, and pear skins. Other Pinot Grigio characteristics include deep, dark colors and low acidity.

Chardonnay is the most common and well known variety of white grape in wine production today. The most prominent flavor in Chardonnay wine comes from oak used in the wine production process. Other flavors and aromas include fruit, lemon, melon, grass, and vanilla. Some other characteristics of Chardonnay wines are high acidity, golden colors, and a velvety feel in the mouth.