The best white wine to buy: crisp, aromatic and rich styles explained

White wine is the UK’s favourite, and for good reason. It’s refreshing on a sunny afternoon, brilliant with food and easy to enjoy. But “white wine” covers everything from bone-dry and zesty to rich, creamy and buttery. Knowing which style you like makes it far easier to find a bottle you’ll love.

The three main styles of white wine

• Crisp and zesty: light, fresh and unoaked, with citrus and green fruit. Think Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Picpoul and Albariño.
• Aromatic: perfumed and fruity, sometimes with a touch of sweetness. Think Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Torrontés and Viognier.
• Rich and rounded: fuller-bodied, often oak-aged, with creamy, nutty flavours. Think oaked Chardonnay, white Burgundy and white Rioja.

The best crisp and zesty whites

These are the ultimate refreshers, perfect as an aperitif or with seafood and salads.

Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is bursting with passion fruit and lime. Domaine Sylvain Bailly Sancerre is the elegant, mineral French take on the same grape. Félines Jourdan Picpoul de Pinet is lemony and saline, a brilliant match for seafood, and Pionero Albariño from Spain is fresh and peachy.

The best Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is the UK’s favourite white grape. The best are fresh and clean with notes of pear and apple. Bottega Pinot Grigio and Il Papavero Pinot Grigio are both a step above the supermarket norm.

The best aromatic whites

Aromatic whites are fantastic with spicy food. Kloster Eberbach Riesling Kabinett is light, limey and gently off-dry. Hugel Gewurztraminer is exotic, with lychee and rose. Sepp Moser Grüner Veltliner from Austria is crisp and peppery, and Manos Negras Torrontés from Argentina is floral and refreshing.

The best rich and rounded whites

If you like a white with more weight, Chardonnay is the classic. Chablis is the crisp, unoaked style: Domaine du Colombier Chablis is superb. For a creamier, oak-aged style, try Moillard Burgundy Chardonnay or the elegant Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuissé. From the New World, d’Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay is ripe and polished.

Great-value whites

Some of the best bargains in wine are white. Familia Torres Viña Sol is a fresh, fruity Spanish classic, Campo Viejo Rioja Blanco is crisp and easy-going, and Durbanville Hills Cape Garden Chenin Blanc from South Africa offers fantastic quality for the money.

What to eat with white wine

• Sauvignon Blanc: goat’s cheese, asparagus, salads and seafood.
• Pinot Grigio: light pasta dishes, antipasti and white fish.
• Riesling: Thai, Chinese and Indian food, and roast pork.
• Chardonnay: roast chicken, salmon, creamy sauces and lobster.

How to serve white wine

Crisp whites are best well chilled, around 7–10°C. Richer whites like oaked Chardonnay taste better slightly warmer, around 10–12°C. Serving them too cold mutes their flavour. Our serving temperature guide has more detail.

FAQs

What is the most popular white wine in the UK?

Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are the UK’s two bestselling white wines.

What’s the driest white wine?

Muscadet, Chablis, Picpoul and Albariño are all bone-dry.

What white wine is best for beginners?

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are fresh, fruity and easy to enjoy.

Browse every bottle on our white wine list, or read our guide to the best red wines.