Explore white wine, from crisp, refreshing and aromatic styles to rich, textured and complex bottles, discovering the grapes, regions and food pairings that suit every taste.
Champagne is a cool-climate region in north-east France producing some of the world’s most famous bottle-fermented sparkling wines.
But Champagne is not a single style—it’s a system built on three grapes, key styles and a patchwork of vineyard areas that each taste different.
Corsica is a Mediterranean island producing fresh whites, elegant reds and fragrant rosés from native grapes, combining mountain freshness with sunny coastal ripeness.
Jura is a small eastern French wine region bordering Switzerland, renowned for Savagnin, Vin Jaune, distinctive oxidative wines, elegant Chardonnay and light, fragrant reds made from native grapes.
Germany's Mosel is renowned for steep slate vineyards producing elegant Riesling with vibrant acidity, citrus, stone fruit and remarkable ageing potential, ranging from bone dry to lusciously sweet.
Marlborough is New Zealand's largest and most internationally recognised wine region, located at the top of the South Island. It's famous for vibrant Sauvignon Blanc with citrus, passion fruit and fresh herb flavours, alongside excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Burgundy is an eastern French wine region famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Its wines range from crisp Chablis to complex reds and rich whites with flavours of citrus, orchard fruit, red berries and savoury earth.
Savagnin is Jura’s white grape behind Vin Jaune, the region’s distinctive dry wine aged under a natural yeast veil. It also makes fresh, high-acid wines with citrus and orchard-fruit flavours, as well as fuller, nuttier wines shaped by sous-voile ageing.
Vermentino is a dry white grape best known for producing fresh, aromatic wines with flavours of lemon, grapefruit, green apple and Mediterranean herbs. It is particularly associated with Sardinia, Liguria and coastal Tuscany.
Riesling is an aromatic white grape best known for its high acidity and flavours of lime, green apple, peach and flowers. It is most famous in Germany but also thrives in Australia and France. Riesling can produce wines ranging from bone dry to intensely sweet while remaining fresh and vibrant.
Sauvignon Blanc is an aromatic white grape known for producing crisp, usually dry wines with flavours of citrus, gooseberry and fresh herbs. It is particularly associated with France's Loire Valley and New Zealand's Marlborough region.
Chardonnay is a white grape known for apple, citrus and peach flavours. Depending on winemaking choices, it can also show buttery notes and vanilla. It is famous in Burgundy, Champagne, California and Australia, and is loved for its range from crisp and refreshing to rich and creamy.
Grape Guide•7 min read
A note worth opening
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