The best dozen crisp whites under a tenner
This week I have been searching the world for a dozen crisp white bargains. Interestingly Australia scored particularly well in our tasting, one of the few countries in the world to have a successful and abundant 2017 vintage:
SW Australia: Exquisite Collection South West Australia Sauvignon Blanc 2017
David Hohnen, who makes this wine, created Cloudy Bay in New Zealand and put Kiwi sauvignon blanc on the map. He has now returned home to Margaret River in south west Australia where he runs his winery with daughter Freya. Tropical fruit aromas, zippy zesty fruits, whistle-sharp acidity with an elegant finish. Superb for the price.
£5.99, Aldi
Peloponnese, Greece: Semeli Mantinia 2017
A great example of how good Greek whites can be, even under a tenner. Made from aromatic, native moschofilero grape to produce an apricot and blossom-tinged wine. £9.95, The Wine Society, www.thewinesociety.com
Douro, Portugal: Tons De Duorum Branco 2016
Bright, vibrant, limey, crisp, dry white. Like many Portuguese whites, it is made from a bunch of little known native grapes: viosinho, rabigato, verdelho and arinto with a touch of moscatel. £9.50, www.tanners-wines. co.uk
Piedmont, Italy: The Co-operative Irresistible Gavi 2017
Made from lesser known cortese grape, this is a vibrant, crisp, dry aperitif, with fleshy fruit flavours, nutty undertones and a creamy mouthfeel.
£7.99, Co-op
SW France: Tramontane Macabeu 2016
The macabeu grape might sound unfamiliar, but it is hugely popular in Spain under the names of viura in Rioja and macabeo in Penedes. Far less is grown by the French, with the best in the beautiful foothills of the Pyrenees in south west France. This elegant, unoaked aromatic Côtes Catalanes is made by former Scottish winemerchant and now winemaker Andy Cook. £8.99, Luvians, Cupar/st Andrews, www.luvians.com
Limoux, France: Berry Bros & Rudd Reserve White 2017 Collovray & Terrier
I am a big fan of Limoux’s wines, they make some of France’s best affordable chardonnays on their rich limestone slopes near the Pyrenees. A zesty, dry blend of sauvignon blanc, mauzac and chenin blanc. £8.75, Berry Bros & Rudd, www.bbr.com
Sicily, Italy: Bendico Vermentino 2017
If you like herby, dry whites with floral aromas, salty notes and rich, fat, sweet fleshy fruits this really delivers for the price. Vermentino is usually found in Sardinia, Liguria or Provence, but it can cope in Sicily’s heat. £7.99, Virgin Wines, www.virginwines.co.uk
Niederosterreich, Austria: Gruner Veltliner 2017 Pfaffl
Lidl sell two Austrian gruner veltliners at the moment. This juicy, zesty, peppery version of the grape has a creamier mouthfeel than their slate-dry steely Lidl’s Granit gruner.
£8.99, Lidl
S Australia: Exquisite Collection Clare Valley Riesling 2017
Tasted alongside Lidl’s Clare Valley riesling at the same price, I would put my money on Aldi’s version. Deliciously bright, zesty, lime and mango flavours with refreshing acidity and dry on the finish – if you have always avoided riesling because you thought it was sweet, this is the wine to convert you as it is dry with a hint of honey. A gem.
£6.99, Aldi
South Australia: The Lodge Hill Riesling 2017 Jim Barry
Another well priced Clare Valley riesling, made by Peter Barry at the famous Jim Barry winery best known for their single vineyard Armagh Shiraz. This is their entry level riesling – deliciously limey and citric, a hint of spice and beautifully integrated acidity.
£9.99, Co-op
Vinho Verde, Portugal: Azevedo Vinho Verde Loureiro Alvarinho 2017
Here is proof that independent winemerchants can compete with supermarkets. This summery white is made by pioneer Fernando Fuedes, who has been leading the field in vinho verde. Made mainly from loureiro with a touch of alvarinho, it has delicious limey aromas, vibrant citric fruits and a refreshing touch of spritz. £8.99-£9.99, Aitken Wines, Dundee; Luvians, Fife; Cornelius Wines, Edinburgh; Kirkness & Gorie, Orkney; Harrisons, Crieff
Bierzo, Spain: Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Godello 2016
Bierzo in north west Spain is better known for the red mencia grape. Here the sloped vineyards now grow the rich textured white godello grape. With its apricot and citric fruits, nutty herby undertones and creamy leesy mouthfeel, this would suit anyone who normally drinks viognier or chardonnay. ■ £7, reduced from £9, Sainsbury’s