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Global Drink Wine Day pt. II: the best white wines and rosés you may not have heard of
By Gabriel Power | 16 February 2023 | Food & Drink
In part two of Tempus’ Global Drink Wine Day trilogy, we look at superb whites and rosés that deserve your attention
Following on from our first, red-centric instalment in the Global Drink Wine Day trilogy, Tempus once again looks forward to this auspicious wine-based observance with a glimpse at some of the best whites and rosés on the market at the moment.
If tannin-heavy Tannats and fruity Pinot Noirs aren't your thing, these crisp, refreshing whites and smooth rosés will likely go down a treat. Be sure to get your order in soon – Global Drink Wine Day is just around the corner on 18 February.
FINCA LA EMPERATRIZ GRAN VINO RIOJA BLANCO 2016
So good are the riojas of Finca La Emperatriz that both its red and white varities make their respective lists on our site. Where yesterday's variety was a tannin-rich, firm example of the classic rioja tinto, Finca's foray into the often-overlooked world of rioja blanco is similarly nothing short of stunning.
This is a floral, expressive white, with the presence of oak on the palate betraying a patient ageing process that adds a lovely bit of body to proceedings – but never too much.
DOMAINE MICHEL NIELLON CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET 1ER CRU LES CHENEVOTTES 2018
The Premier Cru vineyard of Les Chenevottes sits further up the hill than its world renowned sister wine, the white Grand Cru Montrachet. Nevertheless, the two vineyards share a similar terroir in terms of soil composition and solar exposure.
This classy Premier, full of liveliness and freshness, exhibits a lightly smoky nose with plenty of ripe fruit flesh, while on the tongue it has notes of citrus and a delicate, lengthy finish.
LA CHABLISIENNE 1ER CRU 'VAILLONS'
Vaillons, separated from the better-known Montmain by a thin 300m strip of land, has a crisp, mouthwatering taste with notes of lime and orange blossom. Like many of their other 1er Crus, vinification includes yeast and malolactic fermentations in tank, then left to mature for 12 months on fine lees in tanks and small barrels.
This superb Chablis opens with light spices and white orchard fruits, with a solid minerality and some floral notes, before giving way to a tremendous, intensely juicy finish for a well-rounded experience.
KONIGIN VICTORIABERG RIESLING
In 1845, Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert visited the German town of Hochheim and were led by the city fathers to “the most beautiful and best vineyard” of the district for a wine tasting. Due to Victoria’s enthusiasm for its product, the vineyard eventually requested permission from the British Crown call itself “Königin Victoriaberg” – a request which was granted by the Crown in 1850.
But the history isn't the only enticing thing about this vineyard; its Riesling is a superb example of the style, with elegance and subtlety to spare. It has a light floral nose, with stone fruits such as apricot and peach coming through on the palate and refreshing lime on a long finish yet with enough richness to develop with age.
BOLNEY ESTATE PINOT GRIS 2018
In the rolling hills of Sussex lies Bolney Estate, one of the oldest operating wineries in the UK, and one that has made a name for itself with a superb selection of reds, whites and bubblies.
Of particular note is their 2018 Pinot Gris, a smooth, medium-bodied example of the style consisting of a fresh palate of juicy pear with citrus notes including grapefruit on the finish, along with a grassy flourish that makes this the perfect wine for delicate fish dishes.
DOMAINE DU MÉTÉORE 2019 ROSÉ
"Ten thousand years ago, a meteorite struck a hillside in southern France," this winery declares with ominous gusto on its webiste. "Today, our vines grow within and around its crater."
Indeed, Domaine du Météore takes its name from a 200 meter wide meteorite crater high up in the Languedoc mountains, where vines grown from the schist soils of Faugères and Saint-Chinian.
Their crowning achievement, the 2019 rose, is a delicate blend of Cinsault, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre which sports a gorgeous shade of coral in the glass, and white pepper and grapefruit on the tongue. With no cloying sweetness, there could scarcely be a better wine with which to celebrate the coming of spring's warmer climes.
Click here for yesterday's roundup of reds and be sure to return tomorrow for the a list of the best sparkling wines.