Best European White Wine Types
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.
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.
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.
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
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Weingut Hans Wirsching
Iphöfer Kalb Gewürztraminer Trockenbeerenauslese
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold 2022
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Weingut Ökonomierat Petgen-Dahm
Petgen-Dahm Gewürztraminer-Sekt b.A. "Les deux dames" klassische Flaschengärung
Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold 2017
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.
Riesling most likely hails from the Rhine region of Germany, but it has shown great success in other European wine regions, primary Austria and Alsace, as well as the United States and Australia. However, the best expressions of the grape are thought to be in Germany where Riesling remains the most planted grape variety.
Always high in natural acidity, Riesling wines are incredibly versatile and may range from dry, medium dry or medium sweet to sweet styles. Their primary aromas include a complex combination of ripe peaches, nectarines, pears, apples, and citrus that are often accompanied by herbal, floral, mineral, and earthy nuances, while a distinctive element found in aged Riesling wines is the smoky aroma of petrol.
THE BEST Riesling Wine Varieties
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Weingut Ökonomierat Petgen-Dahm
Perler Hasenberg Riesling Eiswein
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold 2020, 2021, 2023
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Weingut Hans Wirsching
Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold 2023
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Domaine Weinbach
Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg Ste Catherine - 2022
James Suckling - 100 points 2024
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Chablis is the name of the wine region in northern Burgundy, but it is also the name of a white wine coming from this very region. Chablis is made with 100% Chardonnay, but unlike other Chardonnay wines, it rarely utilizes oak-aging, resulting in different taste profile and style.
It has white flower and citrus aromas with light-bodied and dry flavors of pear, salinity, and minerality. Among the most desirable traits of Chablis is a long finish of flint-like minerality and high acidity, which makes the wine exceptionally well for pairing with creamy sauces, chicken, trout, bass, quail, clams, cod, halibut, or scallops.
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
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Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2022, 2021, 2019, 2017
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Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2021, 2020, 2019, 2016
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International Wine Challenge - International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy
2017
BEST Familia Torres Wines
AWARDS
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2021
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International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion White 2022
2022
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International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Rosé 2021
2021
BEST Les Domaines Paul Mas Wines
AWARDS
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022, 2019, 2018
BEST Les Grands Vins de Pazac 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
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
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Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
AWARDS
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Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2022, 2021
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Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022, 2017
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Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2019, 2017
BEST Weingut Keringer 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
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Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022
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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
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James Suckling - 97 points
2023
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2023
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Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
AWARDS
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ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2023
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019
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The World Whiskey Masters - Gold
2023
BEST González Byass Spirits
AWARDS
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2023, 2021
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
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International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Fortified 2022
2022
BEST Emilio Lustau Spirits
The Blandy family is unique in being the only family of all the original founders of the Madeira wine trade to still own and manage their own original wine company. Throughout its long history on the island, the family has played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine.
Members of the family continues to live on Madeira, maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811: 2 centuries of fine wine production.
AWARDS
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IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2024, 2019
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Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
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Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
BEST Blandy's Wines
Best European White Wines
AWARDS
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Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022, 2018
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Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022
AWARDS
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International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion White 2022
2022
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International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion White 2021
2021
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
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Falstaff - 100
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Vivino - 4.7
AWARDS
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Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
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International Wine Challenge - IWC Champion Sweet Wine 2023 - Alois Kracher Trophy
2023
AWARDS
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Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2022, 2021
AWARDS
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2022, 2019
AWARDS
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2019
AWARDS
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2021
AWARDS
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Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
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Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2021
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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 February 19, 2025, 2,750 ratings were recorded, of which 1,803 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.