I usually drink more red wines than white, but in the summer I like the cooler, lighter whites to combat the Houston heat. Summer may be over (at least according to the school calender - the autumnal equinox won't arrive and officially bring fall with it until September 22), but we all know Houston will be sweltering for another month at least. So I figured it wasn't too late to share a list of good white wines under $15. This is a very eclectic list, based solely on what I happen to have tasted lately, so it's by no means exhaustive or even well-rounded. But hopefully it will point you to something new to try!
If I've written about the wine before, I linked to that post. I also added a few words about the flavor profile.
DRY
- Buchegger Riesling, from Austria
- very fruity
- Pewsey Vale Dry Reisling, from Australia
- lemon, apricot, and minerality
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling, from Washington State
- green apple and lemon with some minerality
- (link to buy online)
- Sartori Pinot Grigio, from Italy
- citrus, mineral, and floral notes
- Fontana Candida Terre dei Grifi Frascati, from Italy
- citrus, pineapple, with a hint of toast
- Abadia de San Campio Terras Gauda Albarino, from Spain
- citrus and pear, little-to-no oak
- Vignerons du Pallet Muscadet, from the Loire Valley in France
- simple citrus flavors, with bready qualities from sur lie aging
- Gerard Bertrand Picpoul de Pinet, from Coteau de Languedoc in France
- simple and fruity, little-to-no oak
- McPherson Viognier, from Texas
- tropical fruits, floral notes, balanced by earthiness
DRY SPARKLING
- Anna de Codorniu, Brut Cava, from Spain
- fruity and toasty, a bit like Champagne
- (link to buy online)
DRY, HALF-SPARKLING (petillant/frizzante)
- Blanc Pescador, from Spain
- citrus and minerality
OFF DRY
- Sauvion Vouvray (Chenin Blanc), from the Loire Valley in France
- apple, lemon, peach, and earthiness
OFF DRY, HALF-SPARKLING (petillant/frizzante)
All of these are Vinho Verdes, and though they vary a bit in sweetness and flavor profile, they share the same crisp, refreshing, citrusy qualities.
- Casal Garcia Vinho Verde, from Portugal
- Esteio Vinho Verde, from Portugal
- Anjos Vinho Verde, from Portugal
- Opala Vinho Verde, from Portugal
MEDIUM SWEET
- Chateau Moncontour Vouvray (Chenin Blanc), from the Loire Valley in France
- fruity with earthiness to balance
