Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Abbazia di NovacellaAlto Adige€€€€€€Still White
Greenish-bright-yellow Sauvignon from Cornaiano-Appiano and the Bressanone basin: elder blossom, stinging nettle and green pepper on the nose; refreshing and lively with mineral-rich juicy spiciness.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Cantina St. Michael-EppanAlto Adige€€€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina St. Michael-Eppan's prestige cuvee, released only in vintages the cellar declares the wine worthy. A multi-varietal blend of the cooperative's best parcels (typically Chardonnay-led with Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio); the blend composition varies vintage to vintage.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
FalkensteinAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Falkenstein Sauvignon from Naturno-Vinschgau sandy soils: blackcurrant, grapefruit and elder-flower aromatics with accentuated acidity in the finish. Acacia-barrel raising builds structure rare for the variety.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Cantina AndrianAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina Andrian's classic-line Sauvignon Blanc, showcasing the Andriano calcareous-clay soils in a fresh, mineral style with predominantly steel ageing and a touch of oak on the lees.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Cantina ColterenzioAlto Adige€€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina Colterenzio's hyper-limited Sauvignon Blanc Riserva from the oldest parcels of the Lafoa vineyard, planted in the late 1980s with French Sauvignon clones. Strictly limited to 4085 bottles per vintage; awarded White Wine of the Year by Gambero Rosso.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Cantina ColterenzioAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina Colterenzio's Lafoa-line Sauvignon Blanc - the cellar's selection-tier white from the same Lafoa hillside vineyard as the flagship Cabernet. Full-bodied, structured and saline; established Colterenzio as a Sauvignon Blanc reference alongside Terlano.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Alois LagederAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Lageder's single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from the Lehenhof site in Magre, vinified with spontaneous fermentation in large oak and extended lees contact. Demeter-certified biodynamic; balanced between cool-climate herbal lift and lees-driven texture.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
ManincorAlto Adige€€€€€€€€Still White
Manincor's flagship single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and only white in the cellar's Crown line - styled as a Grand Cru in the Burgundian tradition. From the Lieben Aich location in Terlan at 350 metres on volcanic porphyry, where grapevine roots draw minerals through loamy quartz sand. Demeter biodynamic.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Cantina TraminAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina Tramin's selection Sauvignon Blanc, oak-aged on lees from the loamy soils that give the wine its name. Full-bodied, structured and saline, designed for cellaring rather than the bright herbal style of cool-climate Sauvignon.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Franz HaasAlto Adige€€€€€€€€Still White
Franz Haas's signature white blend, dedicated to Maria Luisa Manna and first released in 1995. A cuvée of Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Kerner.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Tenuta PfitscherAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Tenuta Pfitscher's Riserva-tier Sauvignon Blanc from organic Montagna vineyards. The cellar's selection Sauvignon, lees-aged for texture and structured for medium-term cellaring.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Cantina Meran BurggraeflerAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Greenish-yellow Sauvignon Riserva from Cermes at 450-550 m: elderberry, tomato leaf and gooseberry on the nose; very elegant and racy with a fine long finish, minerally and delicate with a discreet hint of wood.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Cantina BolzanoAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Pale straw-yellow Sauvignon from steep gravelly slopes above Bolzano at 500 m: nettle and grapefruit on the nose with developing flint mineral, crisp acidity and persistent aromatic palate.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Cantina TerlanoAlto Adige€€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina Terlano's historical Terlaner Cuvee Riserva blending Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc - the three traditional Terlano white varieties that were already bottled together when the cellar was founded in 1893. Soft, rich and deep, with creamy oak-aged texture and stone-fruit complexity.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Tenuta RitterhofAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Tenuta Ritterhof's Paratus Alto Adige Sauvignon DOC, the cellar's Sauvignon expression in the middle Collis range. The producer describes it as combining vegetable and fruity-flowered notes of elderberry flowers and raisins with delicate acidity and a full taste.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Weingut PlonerhofAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Plonerhof Sauvignon Blanc Exclusiv with elderberry and lime-blossom aromatics over grapefruit and tropical-fruit register, in the cellar's Exclusiv top tier.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Gump Hof - Markus PrackwieserAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Gump Hof Praesulis Sauvignon from steep south-west-facing slopes at 400-800 m in the Eisacktal: fine, juicy fruit aromatics with distinctive delicate citrus spice; structured palate with sustained finish.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Cantina TerlanoAlto Adige€€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina Terlano's single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from sandy quartz-rich soils above Terlano, first vintage 1991. Full-bodied, exotic-fruited and intensely saline, with nine months on the lees split between large oak and stainless steel.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Cantina KalternAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina Kaltern's Quintessenz-line Sauvignon Blanc from Lake Caldaro vineyards. The selection-tier expression with lees-driven texture and elegant alpine fruit; the cooperative's white-wine flagship alongside the Kalterersee Classico Superiore.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
ManincorAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Manincor's flagship Heart-line three-grape Lake Caldaro white: Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc blended together. Named after Countess Sophie Goess-Enzenberg; oak-fermented and lees-aged for texture. Demeter biodynamic.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Cantina St. Michael-EppanAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina St. Michael-Eppan's Sanct Valentin Sauvignon Blanc from select Appiano microzones. Selection-tier Sauvignon with lees-driven texture and saline minerality, designed for both immediate drinking and medium-term cellaring.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Weingut Ignaz NiedristAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Sauvignon from a Porphyr (volcanic) and Kalk (calcareous) site combination, the name itself describing the two soil profiles: classic elder-gooseberry-nettle aromatics, racy mineral palate.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Cantina St. PaulsAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina St. Pauls's Riserva-tier Sauvignon Blanc from mineral-rich limestone soils. The cellar describes how 'Schliff thrives' on the limestone, with the Sauvignon's deep roots forcefully penetrating the scrap of earth on which it grows.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Cantina TraminAlto Adige€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina Tramin's flagship white blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Bianco and Gewurztraminer from porphyry-limestone soils around Tramin. Full-bodied with creamy oak-aged texture and a saline mineral spine; aimed at long-haul cellaring.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Cantina TerlanoAlto Adige€€€€€€€€€Still White
Cantina Terlano's flagship white cuvee, blended only in select vintages from the cooperative's best Vorberg, Kreuth and Winkl parcels. Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc combined into the cellar's most ambitious cuvee, total production 1500-3000 bottles per vintage.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Peter DipoliAlto Adige€€€€€€€€Still White
Peter Dipoli's Sauvignon Blanc from 3 hectares of terraced slopes in Penon (Cortaccia) at 500-600 metres on sandy dolomitic-limestone soils. First vintage 1990; ten-day fermentation in large acacia barrels and ageing on lees until May.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Chateau Mouton RothschildBordeaux$$$$$$$$$Still White
White wine of Mouton Rothschild from 7 hectares of sandy-gravelly soils, reviving a historic Medoc tradition. Rich and complex; Sauvignon Blanc provides drive while Semillon adds texture; partial barrel fermentation contributes subtle vanilla without overwhelming fruit.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Chateau BauducBordeaux€€€€€€Still White
Single-plot Semillon from 75-year-old vines in a three-hectare block; the house premium white. Dry and elegant with the waxy, textured Semillon character that recalls white Pessac-Leognan at a fraction of the price. Anne Krebiehl MW-praised.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Chateau Lynch-BagesBordeaux$$$$$$$$Still White
Historically one of the first white wines produced by a Grand Cru Classe in the Medoc. Primarily Sauvignon Blanc driven with Semillon body; partially barrel-fermented but retains freshness through tank-vinified component.
Dry · Light-bodied · Racy acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Chateau BauducBordeaux€€€€€€Still White
Bauduc's benchmark white and most popular wine: 100% Sauvignon Blanc, stainless steel fermented for maximum freshness and varietal definition. Crisp, dry, and food-versatile; house white at Rick Stein's fish restaurants for over a decade.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Chateau Haut-BrionBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still White
One of the world's rarest and most sought-after dry whites, Haut-Brion Blanc blends Semillon richness with Sauvignon Blanc precision. White peach, orange blossom, and mineral salinity build to a honeyed, lingering finish.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Chateau La Mission Haut-BrionBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still White
Originally sold as Laville Haut-Brion until 2009, this is among the most complex dry whites of Bordeaux. Semillon richness and Sauvignon Blanc freshness fuse with 100% new oak to produce a wine of extraordinary mineral precision and creamy depth.
Dessert · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Festive
Chateau Lafaurie-PeyragueyBordeaux€€€€€€€€Dessert Noble Rot
Premier Cru Classe Sauternes (1855), with an exceptionally high Semillon content (up to 100% in some vintages) that delivers a concentrated, pure expression of noble rot. Pineapple, candied citrus, honeycomb, and powdered ginger with vivid acidity; the 2013 renaissance under Silvio Denz transformed quality.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Chateau Pape ClementBordeaux€€€€€€€€€Still White
A classified Graves white from one of Bordeaux's most historic estates. Sauvignon Blanc leads with fresh pink grapefruit and lime blossom; Semillon adds body and Sauvignon Gris a distinctive floral note. 100% new oak fermentation produces a rich, mineral, long-lived dry white.
Dessert · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Chateau RieussecBordeaux€€€€€€€€Dessert Noble Rot
One of the most consistent Premier Cru Classe Sauternes, with Rieussec's distinctive high Semillon content yielding a wine of great concentration and rich tropical fruit. Honey-drenched pineapple, orange, mango, and caramel with vibrant acidity and a very long finish.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Chateau Smith Haut LafitteBordeaux€€€€€€€€€Still White
A consistently top-rated Pessac-Leognan white dominated by Sauvignon Blanc with distinctive Sauvignon Gris character. Honeyed grapefruit, crushed stone, and elderflower on the nose; vibrant citrus and mineral freshness on the palate. Frequently earns 95-98 points in recent vintages.
Dessert · Full-bodied · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau d'YquemBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Dessert Noble Rot
Botrytised sweet Sauternes; the sole Premier Cru Superieur in the 1855 Sauternes classification. Semillon-dominant with intense noble-rot character: beeswax, saffron, apricot, and honey balanced by electric acidity. Ages for decades and improves for 50 or more years in great vintages.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Chateau Cos d'EstournelBordeaux$$$$$$$$$Still White
Premium white Bordeaux from Saint-Estephe (Cos d'Estournel estate), produced from a 10-hectare dedicated white wine parcel. Fresh, vibrant, and barrel-fermented; the Sauvignon Blanc drive and Semillon texture achieve remarkable complexity.
Dessert · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Festive
Chateau Lafaurie-PeyragueyBordeaux€€€€€€€Dessert Noble Rot
The second sweet wine of Lafaurie-Peyraguey, sharing the estate's Bommes terroir and high Semillon content. White peach, apricot, and lemon cream notes lead a direct, energetic palate with mellow sweetness balanced by lively acidity. More accessible in youth than the grand vin.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Chateau de la RiviereBordeaux€€€€€€€Still White
An unusual Bordeaux Blanc built on Sauvignon Gris rather than Semillon, giving tropical and citrus character with a rich, textured palate. Only 5,600 bottles produced annually; fermented mostly in stainless steel to preserve freshness.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Chateau Lafaurie-PeyragueyBordeaux€€€€€€€Still White
A dry white Bordeaux introduced in 2014 from the Lafaurie-Peyraguey estate in Bommes. Sauvignon Blanc-dominant with Semillon adding body; white flowers, lemon blossom, and fresh citrus lead a mineral, herb-tinged palate. An accessible entry into the Sauternes estate's terroir as a dry expression.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Chateau Cheval BlancBordeaux€€€€€€€€Still White
Barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend from Cheval Blanc's estate, classified as Bordeaux Blanc since Saint-Emilion AOC prohibits white varieties. Elegant citrus and flint profile with saline length.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Chateau Smith Haut LafitteBordeaux€€€€€€€€Still White
The second white wine of Smith Haut Lafitte. Sauvignon Blanc-driven with Semillon adding roundness; lime tree, verbena, and citrus oil aromas lead a fresh, floral palate with elderflower and white peach. Vibrant acidity makes it an excellent aperitif and shellfish partner.
Dessert · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Festive
Chateau RieussecBordeaux€€€€€€€€Dessert Noble Rot
The second sweet wine of Chateau Rieussec, named after the Carmelite monks who founded the estate. Shares the same high-Semillon blend and botrytised character as the grand vin, with apricot, candied ginger, saffron, and orange blossom in a sweeter, more approachable style.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Racy acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Château MargauxBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still White
A rare Sauvignon Blanc white Bordeaux of extraordinary mineral precision: gunsmoke, slate and saline drive a taut citrus frame that ages beautifully over a decade or more.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Chateau RieussecBordeaux€€€€€€€Still White
The dry white wine of Chateau Rieussec, a relative newcomer first produced in 1999. A fresh, citrussy Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend from the Fargues-de-Langon terroir with herbal and mineral freshness; lighter-styled than the Sauternes grand vin but sharing its Semillon richness.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Chateau d'YquemBordeaux€€€€€€€€€€Still White
The singular dry white wine of Chateau d'Yquem, made only in years when the estate decides against a botrytised grand vin or in addition to it. Sauvignon Blanc-dominant, barrel-fermented in 50% new oak, offering honeyed citrus, white peach, and mineral depth unique to the Sauternes terroir.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing
Domaine Jean-Marc BrocardBurgundy€€€€€€Still White
A rare Burgundy Sauvignon Blanc, zesty and herbal with citrus, gooseberry and a fresh finish.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
AttemsFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€€Still White
Top Collio Sauvignon from Attems. The cellar has been owned by the Marchesi de' Frescobaldi since 2000 and Cicinis is the flagship single-parcel Sauvignon.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Savoury
Borgo ConventiFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€Still White
Collio Sauvignon from Borgo Conventi at Farra d'Isonzo. The Folonari-owned cellar's everyday Sauvignon in stainless steel.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Borgo San DanieleFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€€Still White
Field-blend white from organic-biodynamic Borgo San Daniele. Arbis Blanc co-ferments Friulano, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon as a single Isonzo terroir statement.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Castello di SpessaFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€€Still White
Single-parcel Sauvignon from Castello di Spessa at Capriva del Friuli. The castle cellar's flagship Sauvignon from the Santarosa vineyard.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Edi KanteFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€€€Still White
Sauvignon from Edi Kante on the Carso plateau. The variety's karst expression shows mineral depth more than aromatic lift.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Lis NerisFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€€Still White
Oak-aged Sauvignon from Lis Neris. Picol is the cellar's single-parcel Sauvignon with partial new-oak elevage.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
MianiFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€€€€Still White
Single-vineyard Sauvignon from the Saurint plot at Buttrio. Miani's Sauvignon is the cellar's most overtly aromatic single-vineyard wine but built on the same low-yield concentration spine.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Savoury
Pierpaolo PecorariFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€€Still White
Single-parcel Sauvignon from Pierpaolo Pecorari at San Lorenzo Isontino. The cellar's unoaked Sauvignon, sharp and direct.
Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Funky
SkerkFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€€Orange
Carso field-blend white from Skerk. Ograde co-ferments four white varieties on skins as the cellar's signature blend.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Vie di RomansFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€€Still White
Sauvignon from the Vieris parcel at Mariano del Friuli. Gianfranco Gallo's Vie di Romans defined the modern Isonzo white style with extended lees ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Funky
ZidarichFriuli-Venezia Giulia€€€€€€€Orange
Carso field-blend white from Zidarich. The Prulke blend co-ferments Vitovska, Malvasia Istriana and Sauvignon together on skins.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Domaine de l'HortusLanguedoc€€€€€€€Still White
An atypical Pic Saint-Loup white built around Sauvignon Blanc and Gris with Chardonnay and Petit Manseng. Saline, citrus-driven, with a subtle creamy mid-palate from lees stirring.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Fruity · Refreshing
Domaine Félines JourdanLanguedoc€€€€€€Still White
Aromatic three-grape white from Félines Jourdan, bottled outside the Picpoul AOC. Viognier-led; soft and round (velvet paw).
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Domaine Henry PelleLoire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Pelle's flagship village Menetou-Salon from Kimmeridgian limestone. Crisp, citrus-driven Sauvignon with chalky lift and excellent value.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Domaine Henry PelleLoire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from Kimmeridgian limestone in Morogues. Chalky depth more often associated with Sancerre proper, at Menetou-Salon prices.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Savoury
Maison Pascal JolivetLoire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Jolivet's Pouilly-Fumé from flint and Kimmeridgian marl across the river from Sancerre. Smoky pierre à fusil signature on a citrus-driven, saline Sauvignon.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Domaine Didier DagueneauLoire Valley€€€€€€€€€€Still White
Buisson Renard (formerly Buisson Ménard) is the broader, more exotic side of Dagueneau. Yellow plum and exotic spice over a full, ripe-fruited Sauvignon frame.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Savoury
Domaine Henri Bourgeois (Famille Bourgeois)Loire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Bourgeois' Pouilly-Fumé from travertine soils across the river from Sancerre. Smoky flint signature on a citrus-driven, saline Sauvignon.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Savoury
Domaine Joseph MellotLoire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Joseph Mellot's flagship Pouilly-Fumé from flint and travertine soils. Smoky pierre à fusil signature on a citrus-driven, saline Sauvignon.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Domaine Didier DagueneauLoire Valley€€€€€€€€€Still White
Pur Sang, established 1988, sits at the heart of Dagueneau's range. Citrus, saline mineral and flint smoke from a Kimmeridgian-clay terroir.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Domaine Didier DagueneauLoire Valley€€€€€€€€€€Still White
Pouilly-Fumé from Saint-Andelain flint terroir. Didier Dagueneau's flagship cuvée since 1990; pure pierre à fusil signature on a powerful, age-worthy frame.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Domaine VacheronLoire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Biodynamic blend across Vacheron's 48 hectares on Oxfordian limestone and silex. Pure Sauvignon Blanc with crystalline citrus, saline drive and a chalky finish.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Domaine VacheronLoire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Single-parcel silex Sauvignon from vines planted 1970. Crystalline citrus and grapefruit on a tense, intensely mineral frame; ages on the cellar floor for over a decade.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative
Alphonse MellotLoire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Old-vine cuvée from a single hectare of La Moussière planted in the 1930s. Beautiful freshness, distinctive floral notes and chalky minerality from biodynamic farming.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Domaine Vincent PinardLoire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Pinard's barrel-fermented old-vine selection. Ripe peach and honeysuckle over a creamy, vanilla-toned palate that still retains Sancerre's chalky drive.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Domaine Joseph MellotLoire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Joseph Mellot's flagship Sancerre Blanc from Caillottes and terres blanches parcels. Cool, citrus-driven Sauvignon with chalky lift.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Domaine Henri Bourgeois (Famille Bourgeois)Loire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Sauvignon Blanc from the famed Monts Damnés slope in Chavignol on Kimmeridgian marl. Tense citrus and white peach lifted by a smoky, chalky finish.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Domaine François CotatLoire Valley€€€€€€€€€Still White
Cotat's southern Chavignol parcel: laser-like Kimmeridgian minerality, vibrant salinity and yellow fruits that evolve toward honey and rock with bottle age.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Domaine Pascal CotatLoire Valley€€€€€€€€€Still White
Pascal Cotat's south-facing Grande Côte sits on almost pure chalk, the same vein that runs through Chablis. Energy, precision and verve.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Alphonse MellotLoire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Mellot's flagship Sancerre cuvée from a single 34-hectare vineyard south of the village. Biodynamic Saint-Doulchard marl Sauvignon with chalk minerality and lees texture.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Maison Pascal JolivetLoire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Single-vineyard Sancerre from the historic Le Chêne Marchand lieu-dit in Bué. Crystalline citrus and stony mineral on chalky Caillottes terroir.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Domaine Claude RiffaultLoire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Sourced from terres blanches plots in Sury-en-Vaux, Boucauds shows the marl-and-clay-over-Kimmeridgian face of the appellation. Stéphane Riffault's signature cuvée.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Maison Pascal JolivetLoire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Pascal Jolivet's flagship Sancerre Les Caillottes is sourced from chalky limestone (Caillottes) parcels. Cool, citrus-driven and chalky in classic Sancerre style.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Domaine Claude RiffaultLoire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Single-vineyard Sancerre from calcaire lité (layered limestone) parcels. Riffault describes the cuvée as 'fruit in its finest finesse', balanced by demi-muid lees ageing.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Domaine François CotatLoire Valley€€€€€€€€€Still White
The most overtly mineral of Cotat's three single-vineyard bottlings, from a steep 0.7 hectare Chavignol parcel of fossilised pebbles. Rewards 15 years for creamy, saline depth.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Domaine Pascal CotatLoire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Cooler-facing Chavignol parcel where Sauvignon picks up white-fruit chill and stony persistence. The most lifted of Pascal Cotat's single-vineyard whites.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Savoury · Elegant
Domaine Claude RiffaultLoire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Old-vine Sauvignon Blanc from flint-rich soils. The flint signature gives a smoky lift uncommon in Sancerre, balanced by Riffault's lees-driven texture.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Domaine François CotatLoire Valley€€€€€€€€€Still White
Cult Sancerre from the steep Monts Damnés slope in Chavignol. Smoky, strict and chiseled, with deep minerality from Kimmeridgian marl over white Portlandian limestone.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant
Domaine Pascal CotatLoire Valley€€€€€€€€€Still White
Pascal Cotat's Monts Damnés sits across the family line from his cousin François. From 45-year-old vines on pure limestone, the wine is hand-harvested and barrel-fermented for ageability.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Domaine Vincent PinardLoire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Pinard's terroir blend across 40-year-old Caillottes vines in Bué. Lees creaminess and chalky minerality from a third-each tank, old barrique and demi-muid raising.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Maison Pascal JolivetLoire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Unfiltered, wild-yeast cuvée from 2 hectares of old-vine organic Sauvignon on pure limestone in Champtin and Bué. Pure expression of Caillottes terroir.
Dry · Full-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Savoury
Domaine Henri Bourgeois (Famille Bourgeois)Loire Valley€€€€€€€€Still White
Bourgeois' barrel-aged Sauvignon cuvée named for the founder. Ripe yellow fruits, honeysuckle and toasted hazelnut over a creamy, lees-driven palate that still retains Sancerre's acidity.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Domaine Henry MarionnetLoire Valley€€€€€€€Still White
Sauvignon Blanc from ungrafted pre-phylloxera-style vines, planted on sand soils that escaped the root louse. Denser, more textured and longer than typical Touraine Sauvignon.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Familia TorresPenedes€€€€€€€Still White
Single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from the Alts d'Ancosa subzone at 550 metres on chalky clay. Partial oak ageing gives texture without dampening aromatic lift.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Albet i NoyaPenedes€€€€€€Still White
Organic blend of Xarel-lo, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from Albet i Noya. Approachable Penedes white reference.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant
Weingut Wageck PfaffmannPfalz€€€€€€€Still White
Barrel-fermented dry Sauvignon Blanc Fume from the Bissersheim Goldberg: gooseberry, fresh herbs, oak spice and a salty mineral close.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing
Weingut Borell-DiehlPfalz€€€€€€Still White
Dry Pfalz Sauvignon Blanc at an everyday price: gooseberry, citrus and crisp herbal close.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing
Weingut Markus SchneiderPfalz€€€€€€Still White
Kaitui dry Sauvignon Blanc: gooseberry, passion fruit, citrus and a crisp herbal close.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing
Weingut MehlingPfalz€€€€€€Still White
Dry Sauvignon Blanc: gooseberry, citrus, herbs and a crisp close from Hambach parcels.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant
Weingut von WinningPfalz€€€€€€€€Still White
Von Winning's barrique-aged Sauvignon Blanc 500: gooseberry, fresh herbs, oak spice and a long mineral close from a 500-litre barrel programme.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Chateau MarguiProvence€€€€€€€Still White
Rolle-Sauvignon Coteaux Varois white from Famille Perrin's organic Margui estate. Citrus-lifted, herb-driven, saline.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Chateau de BeaupreProvence€€€€€€Still White
Rolle-Sauvignon Coteaux d'Aix Blanc from Beaupre at Saint-Cannat. Citrus-lifted, herb-driven and pairing-friendly.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Domaine de la Ferme BlancheProvence€€€€€€€Still White
Classical Cassis Blanc from the Paret family's organic-certified vines facing the bay. Saline, citrussy and built for sea-facing pairings.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Domaine du PaternelProvence€€€€€€€Still White
Marsanne-Clairette Cassis Blanc with a Sauvignon Blanc accent for added lift. Saline, herbal and built for the harbour-side seafood table.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Tasca d'AlmeritaSicily€€€€€€€Still White
Created for the fiftieth anniversary of Lucio and Franca Tasca's wedding, Nozze d'Oro pairs Inzolia's stone-fruit softness with Sauvignon Blanc's aromatic herbal freshness in an enduring premium Sicilian white.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Tenuta CaparzoTuscany€€€€€€€Still White
Caparzo's barrique-aged Chardonnay-led Toscana IGT, an under-the-radar Montalcino white.
Dry · Full-bodied · High acidity · Elegant · Refreshing
Tenuta dell'OrnellaiaTuscany€€€€€€€€€Still White
Ornellaia's coastal Bolgheri DOC Bianco, oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc-led blend introduced 2013.
Dry · Refreshing · Funky
Weingut HöllmüllerWachau€€€€€€€Still White