The Wine Lover's Challenge

Also known as: Azal Blanco, Galego, Cainho Branco

Rías Baixas, Spain

The great white of Galicia. Zesty, saline, and stone-fruited. Perfect with shellfish from the Atlantic coast.

Also known as: Azal Blanco, Galego, Cainho Branco

Vinho Verde, Portugal

The finest variety in Portugal's Vinho Verde region. Stone fruit, citrus, and a lively mineral finish.

Also known as: Bianchetta d'Alba, Barolo Bianco, Nebbiolo Bianco

Piedmont, Italy

Delicate and perfumed with pear, apricot, and almonds. Piedmont's original white grape, now enjoying a revival.

Also known as: Asirtiko, Arcytiko, Assirtico

Santorini, Greece

The volcanic soul of Santorini. Searingly mineral, citrusy, and bone dry with extraordinary aging potential.

Also known as: Beaunois, Morillon, Feinburgunder

Burgundy, France

The world's most versatile white. From lean Chablis to rich Meursault — shaped entirely by terroir and winemaker.

Also known as: Steen, Pineau de la Loire, Blanc d'Anjou

Loire Valley, France & South Africa

Extraordinary range — from bone-dry to luscious botrytis. Honey, quince, and extraordinary acidity.

Also known as: Falanghina Verace, Biancazita, Uva Falerna

Campania, Italy

Bright, floral, and refreshing. Peach and citrus with good acidity. An ancient grape enjoying a modern revival.

Also known as: Apiana, Fiana, Latina Bianca

Campania, Italy

Ancient and complex. Hazelnuts, white flowers, and a smoky minerality. From the hills of southern Italy.

Also known as: Szigeti, Zapfner, Mosler

Tokaj, Hungary

The backbone of Hungary's legendary Tokaji Aszú. High acidity, stone fruit, and smoke. Complex and age-worthy.

Also known as: Grecani, Dorona di Venezia, Lavedana

Veneto, Italy

The heart of Soave. Almonds, white flowers, and citrus with a characteristic bitter finish. Underrated.

Also known as: Traminer Aromatico, Roter Traminer, Savagnin Rose Aromatique

Alsace, France & Alto Adige, Italy

Unmistakable. Lychee, rose petal, and spice. Off-dry styles from Alsace are iconic; dry from Alto Adige, always aromatic and exotic.

Also known as: Verdelho do Dão, Agodello, Berdello

Valdeorras, Spain

Rich and textural with mineral, stone fruit, and a long finish. A rising star from Galicia's inland valleys.

Also known as: Greco Bianco, Asprinio, Grieco

Campania, Italy

Structured and mineral with citrus and apricot. One of southern Italy's most serious whites.

Also known as: Weißgipfler, Green Veltliner, Veltlini

Wachau & Kamptal, Austria

Austria's signature white. White pepper, grapefruit, and herbs. From light and crisp to weighty and complex.

Also known as: Lipovina, Feuilles de Tilleul, Lindenblättrige

Tokaj, Hungary

The second grape of Tokaj. Linden blossom, peach, and honey. Softer than Furmint, but equally compelling.

Also known as: Loureira, Marques, Arinto

Vinho Verde, Portugal

Floral and fragrant with bay leaf and citrus. A key blending grape in Vinho Verde, also outstanding alone.

Also known as: Ermitage, Grosse Roussette, Avilleran

Northern Rhône, France

Rich, textural, and underrated. Marzipan, white peach, and a waxy, honeyed quality with age.

Also known as: Fileri, Moscofilero, Moschofilero di Mantinia

Mantinia, Greece

Aromatic and floral with rose petal and spice. A high-altitude Greek variety of real elegance.

Also known as: Moscato, Muscat à Petits Grains, Muscat Canelli, Moscato Bianco, Frontignac, Brown Muscat

Alsace & Mediterranean France

The only grape that makes wine that tastes like grapes. Floral, grapey, and irresistible.

Also known as: Pinot Bianco, Weissburgunder, Klevner, Beli Pinot, Burgunder Weiß

Alsace, France & Alto Adige, Italy

Understated and elegant. Apple, almond, and cream. Reliable, food-friendly, and often overlooked.

Also known as: Grauburgunder, Szürkebarát, Malvoisie, Pinot Beurot

Alsace, France

As Pinot Grigio, light and crisp. As Alsatian Pinot Gris, rich, smoky, and textural with stunning depth.

Also known as: White Riesling, Johannisberg Riesling, Rheinriesling

Germany & Alsace, France

One of the world's greatest white grapes. Electric acidity, stone fruit, and a hallmark petrol note with age.

Also known as: Bergeron, Courtoisie, Fromental

Northern Rhône, France

Complex and age-worthy. Herbal, honeyed, and nutty with a distinctive floral character and silky texture.

Also known as: Fumé Blanc, Blanc Fumé, Sauvignon Jaune

Loire Valley, France & Marlborough, NZ

Vibrant, aromatic, and refreshing. Citrus, passionfruit, and cut grass. Iconic in Sancerre and Marlborough.

Also known as: Torrontés Riojano, Torrontés Sanjuanino, Torrontés Mendocino

Salta, Argentina

Argentina's most distinctive white. Intensely floral with Muscat-like aromas but a dry, crisp palate.

Also known as: Ugni Blanc, Procanico, Falanchina, Brucanico

Central Italy

Italy's most planted white. Light and neutral in wine; distilled in France as Cognac's base spirit.

Also known as: Verdeja, Botón de Gallo, Gouveio

Rueda, Spain

Fresh and aromatic with citrus, herbs, and a subtle bitter almond finish. Spain's most characterful white.

Also known as: Trebbiano di Lugana, Trebbiano di Soave, Marchigiano

Marche, Italy

Lemony and mineral with a distinctive bitter almond note. One of Italy's finest indigenous whites.

Also known as: Rolle, Pigato, Favorita, Malvoisie de Corse, Garbesso

Sardinia, Italy & Provence, France

Crisp, saline, and herbal. Almonds and white flowers with a pleasantly bitter finish. Perfect on the coast.

Also known as: Galopine, Vionnier, Petit Vionnier

Condrieu, Rhône Valley, France

Opulent and floral. Apricot, peach blossom, and a rich, oily texture. The prestige grape of Condrieu.