There are few white grapes in Argentina called Torrontés and a different indigenous variety in Galicia in northwest Spain used to make white wines in the Ribeiro DO region. In Spain, the variety is sometimes found around Cordoba. In the Canary Islands, the name Torrontés refers to a different grape variety, Madeira's Terrantez.
The best known examples of this grape are the three varieties of Torrontés in Argentina: Torrontés Riojano, Torrontés Sanjuanino and Torrontés Mendocino. With 8,100 hectares, or 20,000 acres, planted, Torrontés Riojano is Argentina's most-planted white wine variety. Despite much emigration from Galicia to Argentina, no definitive connection between Spanish and Argentine Torrontés had been established before DNA profiling at UC Davis suggested that Torrontés Riojano and Torrontés Sanjuanino are each a hybrid of Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica, called Mission in California. As a result of this profiling, Torrontés Mendocino is also thought to be an offshoot of Muscat of Alexandria; the other parent remains unknown.
Torrontés is the white grape with the greatest potential in Argentina, able to produce, fresh, fragrant, expressive wines, although it can also show too much alcohol, be quite short on the palate and show bitterness when not carefully grown. Torrontés can produce wines that are high in acidity, and with aromas similar to Muscat, and it is also used for blending. The variety seems particularly well adapted to Argentina’s dry growing conditions, especially the high, sandy vineyards in the Cafayate region where altitudes of over 1,600 meters, or 5,250 feet, underline the naturally high acidity of Torrontés and its expressive flavors are prominent.
Torrontés Riojano, known as Torontel in Chile, is the most common Argentine subvariety and takes its name from Argentina’s northern province of La Rioja, where it is the most widely planted variety. Torrontés Sanjuanino, called Moscatel de Austria in Chile, is common in Argentina’s province of San Juan. Less aromatic, with bigger berries and more compact clusters, this grape is less widely planted. There is also the rare Torrontés Mendocino, also known as Torontés Mendozino, most common in Río Negro province near Patagonia in the south. This grape lacks the Muscat aromas.
A grape thought to have no genetic connection to Torrontés found in Galicia, the Canary Islands and Argentina is Turruntés de Rioja, a variety nearly lost in Rioja, but some growers have worked hard to recuperate it. This grape has been in Rioja since 1847, mainly in the towns of Labastida, Abalos and San Vicente de la Sonsierra. The wines have high-pitched stone fruit aromas, and firm fruited volume, spice and depth on the palate, not unlike great wines from the northern Rhone.
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Chardonnay is among the world’s most popular white wine grapes. One reason is that it is very easy to grow, although it buds early, so it can be susceptible to frost damage. It is also relatively susceptible to viral infection, a particular problem in Burgundy. Chardonnay can be fairly vigorous, a tendency that can work against ripeness. Proper rootstock choice and canopy management techniques can help keep this in check. 
Sauvignon Blanc is another well-known white grape. While not as widespread as Chardonnay it's found across the globe, from New Zealand to California to the Loire Valley. It produces wine that is fresh and aromatic, showing aromas of fresh-mown hay and citrus notes, particularly grapefruit, on the nose. Other common descriptors include gooseberry and cat’s pee, in particular used to describe a typical character of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate, Sauvignon Blanc typically has crisp acidity, light to medium body and moderate alcohol. 
Sémillon is a grape like Chardonnay that gives wine fairly high in alcohol and extract, but can appear initially neutral in aromas. This wine is rich and has an almost waxy, lanolin texture but sometimes it is without pronounced aromas. The wine can oxidize easily and shows an affinity to oak aging and blending.
Riesling is another of the classic white varieties. It buds late, ripens late and crops well. Yields are higher than for many other types, in Germany, the average yields are 70–110 hl/ha. This represents a fourfold increase over the last 80 years, according to Jancis Robinson. Riesling can also ripen to high sugar levels and still retain very crisp balancing acidity. The acidity can often remain between 10–15 grams per liter. Jancis Robinson has expressed her opinion that Riesling is the world's premier white grape variety and over the past decade, Riesling has gained a position of special prominence among wine makers, wine writers and sommeliers alike. 
Pinot Gris or Grigio is a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape that has relatively deeply colored berries that can vary from pink to blue. It is commonly vinified as a white wine, but pink versions are not uncommon. The best Pinot Grigio is high in extract & alcohol, with balanced acidity. The fruit character is often quite neutral, although some show a ripe, spicy floral fruit character. Alsatian versions can be very full bodied; this is the wine that Alsatians have with roast goose and other full-bodied dishes. 
Ugni Blanc (known in Italy as Trebbiano) often gives neutral, characterless wine with high acidity, medium alcohol and body and a short finish. It is used throughout the Rhone and Midi to stretch the blend. It is also the main grape of the Cognac region of Charente and is very widespread throughout the southwest of France. Trebbiano is used for better or worse throughout Italy, and it comes into its own blended with Malvasia and air dried to produce Vin Santo. This wine is aged without topping up, or on its ullage, to produce a typical Italian dessert specialty. 
There are many different type of the Muscat grape. The finest wines come from the Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, known as Moscato d’Asti. This is the most widely planted grape in Piedmont, and is used for both Asti and Moscato d’Asti, which is lower pressure and higher quality. The grape has small berries, thick skin and low yields. It produces wine low in alcohol, often sweet and shows pronounced grapey aromas. 
Gewürztraminer is very aromatic, with a spicy bouquet of rose water and litchee. The wine has good body, fairly low alcohol, low acidity and the capacity to age well. The wine can have good acidity if picked early, but often is broad and flat on the palate with moderately high alcohol and fullish body.
Grüner Veltliner gives a wine that is medium bodied, with moderate to high alcohol and acidity. On the nose, it shows a characteristic spicy aroma with notes of white pepper. The best examples from the best vineyard sites are capable of long aging and are sometimes made with residual sugar.