Top 10 Classic Whites

Cave de Prisse, St Véran 2007

Located in Southern Burgundy; this co-operative produces some high quality wines. This is a classic example of St Véran – intense ripe apple fruits with some some minerality. The palate has a good weight structure with more ripe fruits and some creamy intensity. A great value wine

Château Saint-Jean-des-Graves, Graves 2007

This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon; the wine has intense ripe fruits with fresh cut grass aromas. Good weight on the palate with some leesy characters; well-balanced with a long finish.

Domaine Hubert Brochard, Sancerre 2007

This family has been making wine since the 16th century. The wine offers lime and herbaceous aromas with some minerality. Lime, grapefruit and ripe apple dominate the palate and it is supported by a beautiful balance and a long finish. A classic wine.

Joseph Mellot, La Franchotte, Waitrose Sancerre 2007

From one of the well-established names in Sancerre, the La Franchotte cuvée offers classic varietal character with some notes of gooseberry and grass. This has ripe fruit and an elegant structure on the palate, followed by zesty acidity and a vibrant finish.

Domaine Albert Mann, Senteurs des Vignes, Alsace 2006

From one of my favourite producers in Alsace comes this blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris Muscat and Gewürztraminer; very expressive wine with intense floral aromas and apricot fruit. Very clean fruit on the palate with a crisp and fresh acidity, floral characters with some honey.

Dog Point, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2007

Clean, punchy and super-bright Sauvignon from a highly respected Marlborough producer. This is very well put together, and blessed with lean gooseberry facets, cool minerality and just a twist of tropical fruit. Starts out lean and defined before filling out nicely on the mid-back palate.

Domaine Wachau Grüner Veltliner, Achleiten Smaragd 2007

This is the most important grape variety grown in Austria; the wine displays some green apple and pepper aromas. Round on the palate with ripe fruits and herbaceous characters; good texture with a long length. This wine will complement a wide variety of food.

D’Arenberg, Hermit Crab, McLaren Vale 2007

This delicately handled wine is a restrained and attractive offering. Nutty and pure with honey-kissed apricot fruit, it also boasts pleasing minerality and a gentle, clean finish.

La Monetta, Gavi del Commune di Gavi, 2007

Refreshing wine made from the Cortese grape in Piedmont. The wine combines citrus and apple fruits with some herbaceous aromas. Crisp acidity with some lime and apple characters; a well-balanced and refreshing wine.

Montes Alpha Chardonnay, Casablanca 2006

From one of the pioneers of top quality Chilean wine; this Chardonnay combines leesy aromas with ripe fruit and well-integrated oak. Lot of weight on the palate with rich ripe tropical fruits, lots of creamy oak on the finish.