We do not have an abundance of everyday white wines. Our penchant for the more mature vintage tends to steer us in the direction of white Burgundy, Sauternes, and late harvest German whites.
That’s not to say we don’t enjoy the more quaffable dry white wines but we are very selective when it comes to those we choose to sell. We want to offer wines that are interesting and well-made yet relaxed.
The four white wines below are ones that tick all these boxes whilst also offering good value.
2018 Mischief and Mayhem Bourgogne Aligote £16 per bottle
Aligoté seems to be enjoying a resurgence and the 2018 from Mischief and Mayhem is great value, everyday drinking. Clean and crisp but with a good weight and a subtle tropical fruit finish. It may perhaps be a little too interesting for a classic Kir.
2019 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Gavi £18 per bottle
Rinaldi makes great Barolo which may be why the Gavi gets overlooked a little. This is a bright, floral Gavi that has a lovely mineral and citrus core. Good value and goes down very easily on a warm afternoon.
2018 Schloss Lieser-Thomas Haag Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Grosses Gewachs £30 per bottle
It is always a little baffling as to why such high quality Rieslings are so well priced and so little in demand. The Wehlener Sonnenuhr from Schloss Lieser is a case in point – fresh yet richly textured, great minerality and varietal character with a firm finish – it is a top class wine for not very much.
2017 Istvan Szepsy Tokaji Furmint Estate £35 per bottle
Furmint, in capable hands, can challenge Riesling and Chardonnay, and Istvan Szepsy’s hands are capable: this has complexity, balance, and backbone. Juicy fruit, solid core and a salinity on the finish that makes it stand out from the crowd.
Whilst this is a wonderful wine right now, we expect that it will last considerably longer than many Furmints and still be drinkable, but different, in 10 years time.