The best fresh whites from around the world
Try these crisp, vibrant whites to welcome in some warm spring weather, writes Rose Murray Brown
Casablanca Valley, Chile: Specially Selected Estevez Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2022
Good value
Zippy, fresh, well-made sauvignon blanc with zesty
nd citric fruits, crisp and white pepper notes.
£7.25, Aldi
Rias Baixas, NW Spain: Classics No 14 Albarino 2022
Hard to beat this dry unoaked albarino on price – a classic in its apricot and pear notes, broad rounded palate with fresh, breezy, saline notes. £10, Marks & Spencer
Eden Valley, S Australia: Worthy Grounds Viognier 2021 Yalumba
Star buy
Louisa Rose has blended seven parcels, fermented and matured in old French oak resulting in a peachy, apricoty flavoured white with creamy, rich palate.
£14.99/£16.99, Majestic Wine
Lisbon, Portugal: Arinto 2021 Quinta de Chocapalha
Winemaker Sandra Tavares makes this bone dry zippy, lemony, laser fresh version of arinto at her parents’ quinta north east of Lisbon – loved its tropical fruit notes and linear style.
£14.95, Corney & Barrow
Sonoma, California: Don Miguel Vineyard Albarino 2020 Marimar Estate
Light honeyed notes, crisp, minerally and fresh.
£34, Secret Cellar; London End Wines
Limoux, SW France: Limoux Blanc Dedicace Chenin Blanc 2022 Chateau Rives-blanques
Deliciously toasty, nutty and honeyed with wonderful chalky texture from Limoux’s limestone soils.
£14.50, The Wine Society
Badascony, Hungary: Varadi Dry Furmint Szent Gyorgyhegy 2019 Gilvesy
Impressive single vineyard furmint from a certified organic estate on the volcanic basalt/tufa soils of Mount St George; this is dense in citric fruit with integrated oak and minerally undertones.
£25.95, Davy’s Wine
Piedmont, NW Italy: Gavi Yellow Label 2022 La Mesma
La Mesma is run by the three Rosina sisters who make this Cortese-based white from their own hillside vineyards – hints of citrus and apricot with a rich, fruity palate and crisp, long finish.
£18, Raeburn Fine Wines
Great Southern, W Australia: Porongurup Riesling 2023 Harewood Estate
A clear winner in a range of riesling from the Great Southern region in Western Australia – this is superbly sleek, poised with piquant acidity, great length and a moderate 12 per cent alcohol. £20, Woodwinters; Good Spirits Co
Alsace, France: Riesling Les Elements 2020 Bott-geyl
This limey, pure riesling is a good introduction to Bott-geyl’s ripe, luscious style with its precise, long, dry finish.
£23, Woodwinters
Douro, Portugal: Xisto Ilimitado Branco 2021 Luis Seabra
Star buy
From a blend of three co-planted white Douro grapes: rabigato, gouveio and codega do larinho made by Luis Seabra: loved its rich mouthfilling fruits and creamy texture.
£22.40, L’art du Vin
Languedoc, S France: Corbieres Blanc Cuvee Prestige 2022 Chateau Ollieux Romanis Star buy
Very impressive white from an appellation usually known for its reds. An oak-enhanced cuvée of predominately roussanne with grenache blanc and marsanne.
£26, The Wine Society
Tokaj, Hungary: Dry Furmint 2021 Kikelet
Loire-born Stephanie Berecz’s dry furmint has fabulous richness; a hidden gem in this famous region.
£22, Wanderlust Wine
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