White Wine

South Africa’s celebrated Gottfried Mocke made legendary chardonnay in his time at Cape Chamoix. He now makes this wine at the famous Boekenhoutskloof estate using superb-quality fruit sourced from near neighbours. The result is a classic example of cool-climate chardonnay, refined and with an uplifting saline note while still maintaining a generous texture on the palate. Cap Maritime sits perched on top of a ridge separating the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde appellation from the Valley, one of the most exciting places to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in South Africa. The wine shows layers of green apple and citrus fruits. Judicious use of French oak seamlessly brings together aromas and palate with a gentle spice that makes this an utterly moreish Chardonnay.

Bright yellow in colour with vibrant citrus, pear and spice notes on the nose. The palate is full but extremely well balanced, with fresh Picpoul acidity and pure fruit flavours.

White Provence wines are a bit of a hidden treasure, little-known outside France but well-loved by wine buffs around the world. This example is typical, and very good value. Nice, mouth filling texture, the style reserved rather like Chablis. Delicate nose with notes of white flowers and citrus. Well balanced in the mouth, it is fresh, with great vivacity and a hint of bitterness with salty aromas. Nice length.

This cuvée is from 10 parcels covering three hectares of village-level St Aubin. It’s aged mostly in larger 500- and 600-litre demi-muids, about 10% of which are new. These vines are mostly in the cooler parts of the village; they manifest themselves in a lemon-zest freshness that kicks in at the finish

Wonderfully fresh and floral, tastes of elderflower and cool grapes. Very soft, not too acidic like many NZ SBs at this price.

Xavier Gerard's baby Condrieu made from Viognier from Vérin, above Condrieu. 80% steel vat, 20% 300-litre & 600-litre oak cask fermented at 15°C, raised 6-8 months away from its lees in 22 hl large barrel & steel vat, malo usually blocked, first wine 2006 (600-litre cask, the oaked part of it, malo not completed) yellow colour; pear, apricot feature in a bouquet that is nicely funnelled. There’s a good run of spiced fruits along the palate. That carries a nice bit of weight, nice detail.

Made from two lieu dits, high up on the slopes overlooking the majestic Rhone. The wine has classic Viognier nose of peach, apricot, toasted spice and honey. Medium-bodied with good fruit and texture and shows a more mineral character than the richer Le Chatillon Condrieu cuvee.

Viognier (1984-85) from 1.1 hectare on Côte Châtillon at Condrieu, raised 50-60% 22 hl large oak barrel and 40-50% steel vat, malo completed. "fine yellow robe; the nose is very elegant, composed of peach, aniseed, white plum, has an excellent floating style, grace. This is top tack! It has much suavity of texture, with very assured persistence, is refined and gliding throughout. It’s real good Châtillon, bang on the money as it should be. It bears neat iron touches, has a pear-buttery flavour, and butter-floral late moments, a dab of petrol also. Much refinement here." Jonathan Livingstone-Learmonth

Simply the classiest Pouilly-Fumé. No competition. Splendidly energetic and vivid, blade-like acidity, fresh as dew, lifted and lithe. The 2020 and 21 vintages were tiny so this wine will be extremely hard to come by in the next few years. 600 year old estate, easily the best Pouilly-Fume (search Pouilly-Fume 17/20+ on jancisrobinson.com and only Tracy wines appear!). My favourite Sauvignon Blanc on the planet. Complex, multi layered, slightly wild, super elegant. A must.

Duncan Savage matriculated at Rondebosch Boys High School in 1995. In 2016. Savage Wines was set up in the heart of Cape Town in Salt River. Vineyards for his wines are leased and grapes sourced from around the Western Cape, maritime in nature where possible. Granitic soil is the focus. "The 2021 White has no Chenin Blanc in this blend so reverts back to the Sauvignon/Semillon blend, the former from the Rupert family; a spontaneous ferment with a judicious 10-20% new 500-liter oak. It has a drop dead gorgeous bouquet with yellow fruit, lanolin and peach skin, quite pithy in style with just a touch of reduction. The palate is well balanced with a lively, slightly peppery entry, the Semillon expressive and dictating the ginger-tinged finish. It just grows with aeration - an outstanding white from Duncan Savage". Drinking Window: 2023 - 2038 Neal Martin 96/100, Vinous Media

Adi Badenhorst has created three canned versions of his good-value, entry-level Curator wines, of which this is the pick. Aromas of juicy apricots, pineapples, bananas, nectarines and wild strawberry hints too. The palate is rich, intense and flavoursome with ripe stone and some tropical fruit, bound in a creamy mouthfeel, like a mouthful of peach yoghurt. A little jasmine freshness tickles the finish. "Canned wine has gone seriously next-level". Victoria Moore, The Telegraph

This selection will leave you wanting more with 3 delicious and very popular wines from our classic range. New Zealand, France and Italy produce some of the best liked and best value wines in the world The 6btl case contains 2 btls each of the following wines; Chablis 2018, Domaine Fournillon, £16.99 Lovely small-estate, mineral, citrusy Chablis, just as it should be. Crying out for seafood or just good company. Gavi DOCG 2020 Ricossa £13.50 Cortese shines here: lime, almond, crisp green apple, light herbal and grassy notes. Low alcohol, no oak, bone dry. Elegant, zesty, smart choice. Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie 2016 Ch. de Chasseloir - Comte Leloup, Dom. Chereau Carre£14.99 100 year old vines, 10 months on lees, and a minimum of two years in the winery after that. This wine is only made in exceptional vintages. It might just be the best Muscadet you ever taste.

A generous and balanced palate of sweet rosewater and Turkish delight complemented by the crisp acid Riesling component adding a zesty finish.

A blend of Genache Blanc, Gris and Noir, from ancient 90 year old vines, this is beautiful, racy, elegant wine that is softly textured and very ‘modern’ in its freshness and balance.

Medium-dry style with lots of ripe peach, apple and pear flavours. The luscious palate is weighty but balanced by good freshness. Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com "Easy, open Chenin, golden apples and baked pears, a smidge of fudge and sage leaf dipped in warm honey, but also cool lemon peel and even a nip of stone dust. Not bad for the price but prêt-à-porter, not crafted."

Mineral, taught. Fine and long. One of the unsung whites of the Roussillon. A blend of Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Carignan Gris and Carignan Blanc. Outstanding wine. Ages gracefully for 10++ years. Beautiful vineyards that are beautifully worked.

Miopasso Grillo comes from a local grape variety on the west coast of Sicily. Light and fresh with white blossom aromas and hints of tropical fruits. Miopasso is a small range of quality wines made with indigenous Italian grape varieties. With Miopasso, The Wine People's aim is to bring traditional styles of Italian wines to the international market place - a genuine taste of Italy. They do this by using totally modern winemaking techniques to bring out every nuance of the grape variety.

White Rhone wines are a bit of a hidden treasure, little-known outside France but well-loved by wine buffs around the world. This example is typical, and very good value. Nice, mouth filling texture, the style reserved rather like Chablis. Delicate nose with notes of white flowers and citrus. Well balanced in the mouth, it is fresh, with great vivacity and a hint of bitterness with salty aromas. Nice length.

Pretty aromas of yellow fruits such as peaches, citrus & pineapple with hints of linden and chamomile. The palate is lively, fruity and well-balanced, with good length. 10% oak gives a lightly toasted bread finish.

The Montesquiou family have been a source of Jurancon wines for generations, today it is run by brothers Sébastien and Fabrice who have raised the quality of the estate to a new level. The brothers employ many of the techniques of biodynamic viticulture so that no insecticides and herbicides are used. This blend of local varietals Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng and Petit Courbu is fermented and aged on lees in stainless steel for 4 months. 2020 was a really good vintage for white wines in the South West of france with a hot dry summer following a wet spring. This dry white has great aromas of lime, orange blossom and cut grass, a refreshing acidity and delicious peachy flavours. Genuinely complex and terrific value for a wine of such quality.

The Montesquiou family have been a source of Jurancon wines for generations, today it is run by brothers Sébastien and Fabrice who have raised the quality of the estate to a new level. The brothers employ many of the techniques of biodynamic viticulture so that no insecticides and herbicides are used. This blend of local varietals Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng and Petit Courbu is fermented and aged on lees in stainless steel for 4 months. 2020 was a really good vintage for white wines in the South West of france with a hot dry summer following a wet spring. This dry white has great aromas of lime, orange blossom and cut grass, a refreshing acidity and delicious peachy flavours. Genuinely complex and terrific value for a wine of such quality.

100% Chenin Blanc from the slate and shale of Savennieres. Light golden colour, pretty white flower aromas, juicy pear flavours on the palate with a subtle toastiness, and mouthwatering acidity on the finish.