Best European White Wine Types
Rías Baixas is a Spanish appellation located along the Atlantic coast in Galicia. The entire region is divided into five subregions: Salnes Valley, O Rosal, Soutomaior, Ribeira do Ulla, and Condado do Tea. There are several permitted grape varieties, but Albariño prospers and dominates in the entire region.
Other permitted grapes that are sometimes used include Treixadura, Loureiro, Caiño Blanco, Torrontes, and Godello. The styles slightly differ depending on the subregion and the production, but most of the wines hail from the region are pale golden, fresh, and aromatic.
This French wine region is located in the Loire Valley (Touraine district), and it is known for the production of varietal white wines that are predominantly produced from Chenin Blanc. Although the appellation also includes sparkling and dessert wines, Vouvray is mostly known for their crisp dry wines (sec).
These wines are characterized by their straw yellow color, vibrant acidity, and complex aromas that typically include floral, citrus, and white fruit notes. Dry Vouvray wines have excellent aging potential. With age, they evolve, but remain fresh, aromatic, and lively, while their aromas may develop into ripe white fruit, almonds, and hazelnuts.
Malagousia is an ancient, white-skinned Greek grape that was saved from extinction by Vangelis Gerovassiliou, who brought it back from obscurity in the 1970s. The grape produces aromatic dry wines, which are usually of excellent quality.
It is also used to make dense and perfumed dessert styles. On the nose, the wines display intense aromas often reminiscent of peaches, pears, and tropical fruit, usually with citrusy, herbal, and subtle floral notes. On the palate, they are full-bodied, rich, and round, and the best examples manage to remain lively and fresh.
Moschofilero is a Greek grape that hails from Peloponnese. It is an aromatic and late-ripening variety that delivers high yields, but it is sometimes sensitive and finicky to grow. Despite its common presence, Moschofilero was only popularized in the 1970s and ’80s, primarily by the producers from PDO Mantinia, the most important wine region for Moschofilero.
Varietal Moschofilero wines can be incredibly versatile. They will usually have bright and crisp acidity, which highlights their clean and fresh character. The wines from lower altitudes will usually have more freshness, and those from higher vineyards tend to have a more prominent floral character.
THE BEST Moschofilero Wine Varieties
Nectar is a wine style that hails from Samos. The wine is produced from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, which is locally known as Moschato Aspro. The style is made with late-harvested and sun-dried grapes, and the wines have to be oak-aged for at least three years.
Nectar has an appealing light amber color. It is a complex and rich wine with an aroma reminiscent of honey, raisins, dried fruits, and nuts. On the palate, they display a good balance of acidity and sweetness, with typical dried fruit, toffee, spicy, and herbal notes.
Gewurztraminer is a pink-skinned grape that produces some of the most aromatic and complex white wines in the world. The exact origin of Gewurztraminer is hard to trace, but the grape is related to Traminer family that is cultivated across Europe, and although Gewurztraminer has shown success in Germany, Austria, Australia, Washington and California, the French Alsace region remains its foreground.
Alsace produces varietals that are rich and typically deeply colored, often low in acidity and high in alcohol with exotic aromas of lychee and rose petals. Their character and the body heavily depends on the terroir and ripeness of the grapes, and they may range from dry to off-dry and sweet styles.
THE BEST Gewurztraminer d'Alsace Wine Varieties

Weingut Hans Wirsching
Iphöfer Kalb Gewürztraminer Trockenbeerenauslese
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold 2022

Weingut Ökonomierat Petgen-Dahm
Petgen-Dahm Gewürztraminer-Sekt b.A. "Les deux dames" klassische Flaschengärung
Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold 2017
This late-harvest dessert wine of Bordeaux is predominantly made with Sémillon, the region's rare golden-skinned white grapes affected by noble rot, though the blends often include Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The appellations may include Sauternes, Barsac, Cérons, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Cadillac, Loupiac, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, and Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire.
In general, Sauternes wines exhibit pronounced notes of fruit, butterscotch, caramel, and spices, along with floral notes coming from the Muscadelle grapes. Noted for their full body and freshness, Sauternes wines pair nicely with soft cheeses, blue cheeses, washed rind cheeses, terrines, foie gras, and various fruit-based desserts.
THE BEST Sauternes Wine Appellations
Albariño is a white grape variety grown in northwest Spain (Galicia) and northwest Portugal (Monção and Melgaço) where it is used to make varietal white wines. Albariño wines are very light, fresh, crisp, with high acids and of a rich, floral, and aromatic character.
Its specific aromas often include white peach, apricot, melon, pineapple, mango, and honeysuckle with an underlying minerality. Albariño wines are very versatile when it comes to food pairing, with seafood being the most obvious choice, along with a variety of dishes from Chinese, Indian, and Thai cuisine.
THE BEST Albariño Wine Varieties
Riesling is an aromatic white grape native to Germany. It is a terroir-driven wine known for its versatile character and intense aroma, usually reminiscent of citrus, petroleum, and white flowers. In Alsace, Riesling is one of the main varieties.
Although the grape is often associated with sweeter styles, most of the examples coming from Alsace are bone dry. Riesling from Alsace can slightly vary in character, from leaner to more opulent, flavor-packed expressions, but it is generally complex, richly flavored, and high in acidity.
THE BEST Alsace Riesling Wine Varieties
Roditis is a pink-skinned variety from Greece that is cultivated throughout the mainland. It is the second most planted grape in Greece, used both in varietals and blends. The grape was mostly used for bland, inexpensive bulk wines, but the recent shift to quality has slightly improved its reputation.
Roditis is terroir-driven, and the grape is multi-clonal (at least three confirmed clones), creating wines with somewhat different characters and features. The best expressions come from old vines and high altitudes, resulting in subtly aromatic wines with a medium body and high acidity, such as those from Aigialia Slopes in the Peloponnese.
Best European White Wine Producers
Familia Torres is a prominent Spanish winery founded in 1870 by the Torres family in the Penedès region of Catalonia. Renowned for its commitment to quality and innovation, the winery produces a wide range of wines, including red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines, primarily using native grape varieties such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Parellada.
The Torres family emphasizes sustainable vineyard practices and has been a pioneer in organic and biodynamic farming. Their vineyards are located in various regions of Spain, including Penedès, Priorat, and Ribera del Duero, allowing them to craft wines that reflect the distinct terroir of each area.
AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2022, 2021, 2019, 2017

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2021, 2020, 2019, 2016

International Wine Challenge - International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy
2017
BEST Familia Torres Wines
AWARDS

USA Wine Ratings - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2021, 2017

Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2019
BEST Adega Cooperativa De Redondo Wines
Weingut R&A Pfaffl is an Austrian winery located in the Weinviertel wine region, precisely in Stetten. The winery is managed by the Pfaffl family, as a family business. Roman and Adelheid Pfaffl took over their parents' farm in 1978 with 23 hectares of arable fields and less than one hectare of vineyards.
Currently the vineyard extends over more than 100 hectares, of which 70% is cultivated with white grape varieties.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019

The World Whiskey Masters - Gold
2023
BEST González Byass Spirits
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022, 2019, 2018
BEST Les Grands Vins de Pazac Wines
As brothers, we complemented each other very well even as children, despite our different interests and talents. This is still the case today and we can contribute to the success of our family winery with our know-how on various levels: We enjoy working together in our vineyards, Hans Michael bears great responsibility for the style and expressiveness of our wines in the cellar and Andreas is responsible for sales and presence at tastings.
We stand for stability, handshake quality, family history, but also for a new perspective on the whole - and the naturalness among brothers to always challenge each other with respect and to develop new things together.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2019

Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2020

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2018
BEST Gebrüder Nittnaus Gols Wines
AWARDS

USA Wine Ratings - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022, 2020, 2019

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022, 2021, 2019
BEST Fautor Winery Wines
AWARDS

Falstaff - 100

Vivino - 4.7
BEST Marqués de Murrieta Wines
The Hans Wirsching wine estate is one of the most traditional and renowned estates in Franconia. Our family has been growing grapes for several centuries. Currently, Andrea Wirsching manages the estate. On 90 hectares in and around Iphofen, we produce mainly dry white wines – that is our specialty.
The most important grape varieties are Silvaner, Riesling, Scheurebe, and white Pinot varieties (Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris).
AWARDS

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022

Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2016
Weingut Dr. Loosen is a family-owned winery located at St. Johannishof 1, 54470 Bernkastel-Kues, Germany, in the Mosel wine region. The estate has been in the Loosen family for over 200 years, specializing in Riesling wines. Under the leadership of Ernst "Erni" Loosen since 1988, the winery has gained international acclaim for producing high-quality Rieslings that reflect the unique characteristics of their vineyards.
The estate's vineyards are situated on the steep slopes of the Middle Mosel, featuring various soil types, including red slate, blue slate, and red volcanic conglomerate. Some of the vines are up to 140 years old and ungrafted, contributing to the distinctiveness of their wines.
AWARDS

James Suckling - 97 points
2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2023

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
BEST Weingut Dr. Loosen Wines
Best European White Wines
AWARDS

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022, 2018

Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022
An ode to freshness and maturity, this award-winning Premier Cru Brut Blanc Champagne will transport you to the lushness of the French countryside after rain. With crisp apples, juicy plums, and an earthy, vegetal edge, the nose pays homage to a variety of garden flavours.
All while subtle notes of cinnamon and exotic fruits linger further afield, unfolding at the perfect moment and staying for a prime length.
AWARDS

Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022, 2021

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2021, 2020
AWARDS

International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion White 2022
2022

International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion White 2021
2021
AWARDS

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023

International Wine Challenge - IWC Champion Sweet Wine 2023 - Alois Kracher Trophy
2023
This is a triumph. An amazing white showing roasted pineapple, dried apple, flowers and hints of lemon curd on the nose. Hints of almonds, too. Full-body, closed and tight with amazing depth and beauty. Waxy, salty, and creamy. Goes on for minutes. 21 years in wood, seven in concrete and then about three years in bottle.
First year since 1978. Viura with a hint of malvasia. I have the same mind-tingling sensation tasting this as tasting the 1963 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco.
AWARDS

Falstaff - 100

Vivino - 4.7
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2021
AWARDS

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2022, 2021
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2019
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2022, 2019

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 European White Wines” list until March 24, 2025, 2,781 ratings were recorded, of which 1,833 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.