White wine

Gorgeously fruity, fresh white with an exuberant nose of passionfruit, hawthorn and honey, followed by a medium-bodied, zingy palate of citrus fruits. Clean, minerally finish with the faintest suggestion of maritime Galicia.

Enjoy this perennial customer and staff favourite with seafood or as an aperitif.

“Full on flavours of gooseberry, peaches, and white flowers. Inviting creaminess.”

Decanter World Wine Awards , Silver Medal (2010 vintage)

Peñín Guide 2012 - Silver Medal, 86/100

“Pale gold. Bright and energetic on the nose, displaying fresh Meyer lemon and green apple scents that give way to a deeper melon quality on the back half. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering sappy citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a touch of honeysuckle. The floral quality carries through a long, mineral-tinged finish that emphatically echoes the orchard fruit note.”
Vinous, 90/100 (May 2017, 2015 vintage)

“Aromas of fresh citrus fruits, crushed vitamins and nectarine are pleasant and welcoming. This offers good acidic cut and overall balance. Flavors of stone fruits focus on apricot and nectarine, while the finish is elegant.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points (December 2016, 2015 vintage)

Albariño is synonymous with the rainy DO of Rías Baixas in north-west Spain, where it accounts for 90% of all plantings. Officially, 12 varieties are allowed in the DO, but little is seen of the other whites - Loureiro, Caiño blanco, Treixadura, Godello, Torrontés - and less again of the six permitted red grapes.

Intense, lemony Touraine with lip-smacking freshness and oodles of grapefruit, gooseberry, and nettle flavours. Clean and bright, with nice weight for this style.
Drink as an aperitif or with salads, tangy cheeses (e.g. goat's), fish, chicken, or curry.

The 2018 vintage was awarded a gold medal at the 2019 Concours Mondial du Sauvignon.

Christophe Godet and his wife Nathalie manage the day-to-day running of the vineyards and cellar.

‘…elegant, moderately pungent, with a lovely mineral streak’
Tom Doorley, Irish Mail on Sunday, May 2020

‘This Touraine Sauvignon is slightly softer than others, making it a bit easier to drink without food. It has flavours of apple, citrus and peppery spice with a lovely mineral acidity. A good alternative to pricier Sancerre.’
[2016 vintage] 88/100 James Button, Decanter, March 2017

There is no mistaking the commitment of the Purato range—certified carbon neutral— to minimizing the environmental impact of its excellent everyday wines.

Not only are the wines themselves made from organically grown grapes, but the bottles, labels and cartons for the range are as far as possible made from recycled materials, with pure vegetable inks used in printing.

The blending of the two grapes: indigenous Catarratto with Pinot Grigio creates an enjoyable, everyday drinking wine that delivers intense aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, with a crisp, lively fruit character on the palate too. This is a perfect wine for seafood or as an appetizer—or why not get into the spirit of the Purato project and try it with some locally produced organic fare?

‘…this Sicilian white is all about freshness’
Tom Doorley, Irish Mail on Sunday, May 2020

Crisp and refreshing Loire Sauvignon with a bright nose of freshly-mown grass and citrus, and a clean, zingy palate of green apples, herbs and stony minerals. Clean, dry finish. Just gorgeous!
Drink with oysters, shellfish, fish, poultry and goat's cheese.

The Wine Guide - "Lovely, cool-climate Sauvignon, with classic, youthful, grassy green apples, a rich midpalate and a refreshing apricot finish."

You'd have to have a heart of stone not to like this delicious, vibrant Verdejo.

It has irresistible lime and peach aromas, lively freshness and supple body. It's a fantastic white wine as an appetizer, and has enough character to accompany any light meal with its fragrant, confident charm.

A customer and staff favourite every year, Cyril Marès's Tradition Blanc has an enticing, fragrant nose of pear and apple blossom followed by a round, vibrant palate of white peach and almond.

The Tradition Blanc is a supple, substantial dry white that, from the 2020 vintage, bears ECOCERT organic certification as the estate looks for ways to make its operation as much a part of the natural environment as possible.

A real taste of southern sun, it's lovely as an aperitif, and has the body to make a terrific partner for a chicken or monkfish curry.

‘This has always been one of my favourite estates for inexpensive, well-made, supple red and white wine. The nose is lightly floral, the palate elegantly textured with peaches and melons, the finish satisfying. Good medium-bodied wine with a touch of warmth.’
John Wilson, Irish Times, September 2012

The Costières de Nîmes, the Rhône’s southernmost appellation, was previously called the Costières du Gard before a name change in 1989. Until 2004 it was considered part of the Languedoc, but today it is included in the Rhône region, and Mas des Bressades' top-tier whites are produced from typical varieties of the region including Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier.

Robert Parker has said of the estate’s winemaker, ‘Young Cyril Marès crafts some well-concentrated bargains both red and white and an ambitious, flamboyant, but modestly-priced Cabernet-Syrah blend.’

Costières de Nîmes was settled by veterans of Julius Caesar's campaigns in Egypt, and some modern wine bottles from the appellation bear the unlikely symbol of that time's Roman settlement—a crocodile chained to a palm tree.

There's a real zest and crunch about this wine, but also broader, honeyed flavours that make it so good as an accompaniment to a variety of meals.

This great all-rounder is made from the Grechetto grape typical of the region and designed to show off Grechetto's inherently juicy, succulent and generous character. Ideally serve it chilled and enjoy its intense, fruity bouquet, satisfying body and balanced acidity with appetisers, young and soft cheeses, non-tomato-based pasta dishes, or grilled fish.

All the lively intensity of Loire Sauvignon Blanc, with expressive currant and cut grass aromas and lingering, focused fruit flavours.

Immediately appealing and very easy to enjoy on its own or with a variety of foods, especially fish and seafood dishes.

98/100 Loire Buyers' Selection

A fuller expression of Muscadet sur lie, this wine is made from the fruit of vines between forty and sixty years old, and has the typical focus and clean persistence of its mica schist terroir.

There is added intensity in its precise fruit flavours thanks to a little bottle age and the character of those old vines.

‘Hyper classic aromas of crushed oyster shells, preserved lemon, tangerine zest, and mountain stream moss. The palate is a blast of maritime flavors particularly focusing on zippy citrus and finishing with an explosive blast of iodine.’
Loire Valley Wines Buyers' Selection, 2021 Edition [2018 vintage]

A soft, fresh Sauvignon from just north of Carcassonne, made from fruit grown on cool, deep soils. 

Aromas of box and citrus lead to a refined assembly of herbaceous and green fruit flavours, with the typical verve of the variety but also a dollop of Cabardès sunshine to keep the style easy-going. 

Pair this while it's young with grilled fish, seafood, and starters.

A crisp and delicious white wine from the Rioja region with apples and some tropical fruit at first sniff. There are herbal and floral aromas too, and satisfying body matches the bright, juicy flavours.

From a winery begun in 2004 by a winegrowing family as 'a dream made real', this is sure-to-please, genuine Rioja—and leaves you with plenty of pieces of eight (Real de a 8) in the treasure chest!

Fresh as a breeze, this is a light to medium-bodied wine that has delicate floral aromas and bright flavours of citrus and nectarine with some herbal hints too.

It has attractive weight and generous, effortless length—a really well made wine from an organic estate with a tiny production.

‘Aromas of white stone fruit, spring wild flower and a whiff of hazelnut come to the forefront on this dry, tangy white. Made with organically farmed grapes, the savory palate delivers ripe apple, peach and a hint of lemon drop while notes of saline and white almond wrap up the finish. Bright acidity keeps it fresh. A fantastic wine.’
EDITORS' CHOICE 93/100 Kerin O'Keeffe, Wine Enthusiast, September 2021.

This expressive white blend comes from the tiny Catalonian DO of Pla de Bages, and the wild herbs and woodland character of the landscape certainly seem to contribute to its delicious complexity.

It's fresh and inviting, with a zesty mix of tropical, citrus and floral scents, and was awarded gold in 2017 as the best wine of the entire Pla de Bages region in the annual Vinari awards.

A thrilling white wine from the north of Portugal, made from a single grape variety—Loureiro—to give a distinct character.

Fresh nose of ripe limes, with honeyish aromas in there too. There's a typical hint of vinho verde spritz—just a tingle— and for a light-bodied wine, there's real depth of flavour, with balanced acidity and minerality contributing to a clean, persistent finish.

A silky, mineral thoroughbred from Alsace, packed with citrus, green apple, jasmine and honeysuckle. This wine from the biodynamically run estate of the Meyers has amazing intensity, length and purity of flavour.

This is an unmistakably dry wine, with barely two grammes per litre of residual sugar, but it's rounded and balanced with a delicious fullness that complements its fresh, zesty Riesling acidity.

It's a natural match for fish dishes and seafood, but once you've sampled the style you'll find this a distinguished accompaniment for all kinds of fine dining from poultry and pork to cheese—anywhere full, clean fruit flavours can enhance the flavours of good food.

Dry, precise Riesling with green apple crunch and some citrus and tropical juiciness. Fresh, dry and with nice length.

Lirac was the first Côtes du Rhône wine to be produced in red, white and rosé, but the whites are rare enough outside France. We have been able to get only a little of this distinguished and powerful blend of Grenache, Viognier, Clairette and Roussanne, which is finished off in new oak to bring together and enhance its complexities. The crested bottle bears the date 1947, the date that the village obtained crustatus.

Exotic aromas of vanilla, tropical fruits and quince introduce a sumptuously full-bodied white with the delicious texture of Viognier wines and a perfect balance between this unctuousness and fresh, refreshing acidity.

This is a fantastic partner for rich fish and seafood dishes or an Oriental banquet. It will just as happily accompany poultry or pork thanks to a long, expansive finish, and represents very good value when compared with white Burgundy at the same price.

The Manissy estate was built in the middle of the 18th century and belongs to the Congregation of Missionary Fathers of the Holy Family, who planted the first vines in 1916, working the land and making wine using biodynamic methods.

In 2004 young winemaker Florian André was appointed to take charge. He carries on the traditional way of winemaking for the 'Tête de Cuvée' but modernized the cellar and developed new products to expand the range.

A simply delicious white wine, brisker than the Albariños of Rías Baixas across the border in Galicia, and with much more depth and subtlety than its easy appeal might at first suggest.

A thrilling expression of a popular grape that brings out the sunshine on even the murkiest Irish day.

For a little more information about Quinta de Gomariz and to see some photos of vines and winery from Jamie Goode's relatively recent visit to the estate, have a look at his Wine Anorak article.

New—details to follow.

Clairette and Rolle—sounds like Provence. And that's indeed the case in this fresh, direct and tangy white from Domaine Houchart that shares a stable with the Quiot family's sublime rosé.

The youthful vibrancy of the fruit is the main attraction here, with aromas of citrus and nectarine leading to a mouth-watering assembly of lively flavours from lemon to peach and greengage, with marmaladey hints just below the surface.

There's a hint of fullness about each mouthful that means this is a wine that won't get lost when the snacks come out—but its appeal is so bright and immediate that you may well decide it's complete in itself.

Citrus character is underpinned by richer tropical hints and smooth, buttery softness in a dry, lithe Chardonnay from the Mâconnais.

This cuvée is not quite a new venture for the Perrachons—their forebears worked in the Pouilly vines in the nineteenth century. Now, through a family connexion, they have been able to lease a small plot in the Pouilly appellation en fermage and make a new vintage from three terroirs of a 1.7 hectare vineyard in Fuissé.

The wine is partly aged in five-hundred litre barrels and partly in stainless steel vats, to balance freshness of fruit with the smooth complexity typical of the appellation. 

This is an excellent, satisfying food wine with a perfect balance between acidity and sweetness that keeps it shimmering on the outer edge of dry.

There are fresh, discreet aromas of honeysuckle and clementines, with smoky, nutty hints too. The typical pear character has a softly spicy apricot and pineapple flavour about it, and the tropical generosity is matched by a supple, subtle roundness in the mouth and a lingering concentration of tangy warmth.

Alsace Pinot Gris did duty for red wines in the past, before changes in climate made ripening Pinot Noir in the northern vineyards of Alsace a reliable expectation, and there's every reason to enjoy this full, fruity wine with chicken, pork or veal. It has an affinity for creamy sauces, so vol-au-vents and quiche lorraine—not to mention soft cheeses—are well within its scope.

Pinot Blanc is part of a large and disparate family of grapes related to the famous Pinot Noir.

You don't hear all that much about it, because the white wines it makes are generally eclipsed by those of its more aromatic, zesty and ubiquitous cousin Pinot Grigio. Nonetheless, the delicate floral and white fruit aromas and soft balance of a young Pinot Blanc shouldn't be overlooked. The Meyers vinify theirs in temperature controlled tanks, using native yeasts, and the result is a supple and delicious white wine well suited to simple flavours including local specialities such as tarte flambée and choucroute dishes, not to mention a wide range of white meat and poultry recipes, salads and picnic fare.

The Pecorino grape originates in Abruzzo and the Marche region to its north.

Although Italian wine regulations suggest it can be grown anywhere, like any variety it performs best in its preferred terroirs, not too close to the sea and kept off south-facing slopes.

This is a medium- to full-bodied, relatively aromatic dry white, with deeper colour than Ferzo's Passerina or Cococciola and richer flavours of orange peel and herbs.

Like the best Pecorinos, it has good concentration, and balancing acidity that gives keen freshness through its full, textured length. It's an excellent partner for fish and seafood, with enough interest and liveliness to make an impressive glassful by itself too.

Though the Pinot Grigio grapes for this wine come to optimum ripeness under the Sicilian sun, cooling maritime breezes and timely harvesting contribute to its vivacious freshness. This is a dry, but not too dry, white with lovely concentration of fruit and easy-going apple and peach character given definition by crisp acidity.

The wines of Il Papavero are as much about their extraordinary winemaker as they are about the vineyards they come from. The tireless travelling and immense expertise of maestro Scipione Giuliani have led to the internationally successful Il Papavero range, which now includes his vibrant expression of this Italian classic.

The Fiano grape is well worth getting to know, since it combines lively fruit aromas with a hint of silky fatness, making it an excellent food wine and a satisfying choice chilled on its own too.

This is a really decent expression of the grape from the southernmost region of Puglia, the Salento peninsula. Try it with smoked salmon or poultry to appreciate its versatile charm as a dining wine.

The Carlomagno wines are named for the emperor Charlemagne, who appears as a hero in the traditional puppet opera 'Opera dei Pupi' of southern Italy.

This is a barrel-fermented blend of Roussanne, Viognier and white Grenache, with exquisite aromas of peach, marzipan and vanilla. It's full-bodied, unctuous and intensely concentrated, with ripe, indulgent, complex flavours to match those rich, inviting aromas.

Very broadly speaking, the style is reminiscent of a well-padded white Burgundy, maybe even a Meursault—but at a far friendlier price.

For the maximum pleasure in its intense flavours and extraordinary length, pair this memorable white wine with something special: lobster, monkfish or creamy chicken dishes.

The lime and passion fruit appeal of Marlborough's Sauvignon Blancs is easy to understand, and this fantastic example is packed with vibrant, fresh tropical aromas that express the very best of ripe Marlborough fruit.

Enjoy this exuberant, aromatic southern Sauvignon on its own or with spicy fish or chicken dishes.

Clean, satin-textured Chardonnay from the Loire coast, with bright tropical and citrus fruit and refreshing, mineral length.

This is a versatile and elegant dry white, with the flavour and body to suit white meat dishes and informal meals as well as all kinds of fish and seafood.

The winery's playful approach to marketing its 'the dot' range is based on the facts nonetheless: “He has a hard shell, but a rich, savoury core. You can't help but want to know him better. He is a distinguished escort for every dinner”.

It's certainly true that the gentle nuttiness of this Austrian Pinot Blanc is understated compared to some white wines, but there are times when it's James Bond you need, not Austin Powers.

Here is winemaker Roman Josef looking the part at the Wine Enthusiast awards ceremony in Miami, where the Pfaffls received the award for European Winery of the Year 2016.

Peach-fresh aromas with a definite floral component put a spring in the step of this premium Chablis before the first sip.

Match it with seafood, poultry, white meats, charcuterie or cheese for a real treat.

Crisp, classic dry Riesling, with lively apple and apricot flavours and citrus vibrancy.

This is an aromatic Chardonnay, with attractive notes of vanilla, pineapple and white flowers. There's a suggestion of spicy complexity and in the mouth its full, rounded and buttery texture makes it a very satisfying accompaniment to fish, white meat dishes and even the notoriously hard-to-match asparagus.

The Guérin family have forty-five hectares of vines ten miles south-west of Beaune, and limit yields to give distinct expression to each of their wines, which are vinified according to traditional methods.

A fresh and aromatic dry white with sun-kissed fruit flavours of lemons and peaches.

Typical Vermentino body and a hint of almonds make it a good choice for light dishes such as simply cooked fish or seafood.

A rounded and fruity off-dry white wine from Rudi Rüttger, whose family has worked the vines of Neuleiningen in Pfalz since 1643.

This fresh, delicate Riesling has the typical bright acidity of the grape, but the 'tendre' style means that its floral and citrus-edged charms have an appealing softness too.

This is a very likeable wine, perfect for foods with gentle sweet-and-sour flavours, and also deliciously easy to enjoy on its own.

A deliciously fragrant and fresh blend of Viognier, Muscat and Colombard, this rounded, honeysuckle- and peach-scented white wine is typical of the Languedoc and a fitting complement to the enormously successful Cabalié red.

The fruity, zesty style makes it an all round winner and a perfect accompaniment, when not served as an aperitif, to rice or pasta dishes with seafood or poultry.

Fine, elegant and complex Sauvignon Blanc assembled from the fruit of a number of vineyards representing the three principal terroirs of Sancerre.

Tropical and floral notes underpin intense aromas of peach and green apples, introducing a rounded but mineral wine whose freshness and juiciness linger into an aromatic finish.

This is a clean, bright wine with earthy, leafy aromas and suggestions of smoke enhancing rich, fresh fruit.

Three months in French oak give it texture and enhance its natural, dry fullness, though it's still a relatively restrained style of Chardonnay, making it a perfect partner for smoked fish, poultry and savoury appetisers.

A golden wine made in Neuleiningen, Pfalz, from Grauburgunder, the grape known elsewhere as Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris.

This racy dry white has aromas of peach and green apple, and there's the intense, mouthwatering freshness of a lemon meringue pie. 

It's terrific value and a delicious partner for gently spicy and aromatic dishes.

There is no mistaking the commitment of the Purato range—certified carbon neutral— to minimizing the environmental impact of its excellent everyday wines.

Not only are the wines themselves made from organically grown grapes, but the bottles, labels and cartons for the range are as far as possible made from recycled materials, with pure vegetable inks used in printing.

The blending of the two grapes: indigenous Catarratto with Pinot Grigio creates an enjoyable, everyday drinking wine that delivers intense aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, with a crisp, lively fruit character on the palate too. This is a perfect wine for seafood or as an appetizer—or why not get into the spirit of the Purato project and try it with some locally produced organic fare?

‘…this Sicilian white is all about freshness’
Tom Doorley, Irish Mail on Sunday, May 2020

This is a terrific white wine from a supplier whose wines we're delighted to have in stock again.

From the very southern tip of Burgundy, white Mâcon wines are generally softer and fleshier than the Chardonnays of Chablis and the Côte de Beaune further north. Good winemaking will preserve the grapes' natural freshness to give a succulent, ripe white wine that is aromatic and not too powerful, delicious on its own and an excellent match for a range of foods from seafood to pork and poultry dishes.

Dominique Cornin (pictured) and his son Romain run their small estate organically, preferring to work with Coccinelle the horse rather than a tractor as they manage the vineyards.

Peachy, grapefruity, powerful (15% abv) blend fashioned from traditional, hand-selected Catalonian grapes grown in ancient vineyards on steep slopes 600m high in the DO of Montsant. Intriguing pollen and lavender notes in a complex and rewarding white wine with caramel and stone fruit character from its old vine white Grenache.

Enjoy its generous aromas and rich body with correspondingly plump, opulent flavours. It might make a great match for a caramelized onion and blue cheese tart, a creamy soup or the best seafood.

70% of the cuvée is fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures to preserve the generous fruitiness of the wine. The balance is fermented in new French oak, imparting subtle, delicious richness to the finished wine.

‘Acustic ... offers the aromas and flavours of Priorat at a far more friendly price.’
The Wine Buyer's Guide

‘Montsant produces wines of very similar style and quality to Priorat.’
The Oxford Companion to Wine'

The white wines of Santenay account for only about one tenth of the appellation's production; powerful, intense reds are more usually associated with the name.

The south-facing lieu-dit of Le Chainey lies west of the village of Santenay, and shares a boundary with the premier cru vines of the Grand Clos Rousseau lieu-dit, which claims more varied soils on lower slopes.

The balance of nervy freshness and oak-influenced weight and texture makes this a superb dining wine for pasta, risotto dishes with mushrooms and poultry in creamy sauces.

Perfumed and elegant with pronounced notes of grapefruit, orange blossom and quince. The cool, intense palate is full of juicy green lime and honey with a long, racy finish. This rare and beautiful wine makes a very special match for the most delicate of fish or egg dishes and is an equally attractive partner for fuller flavours such as roast chicken or the local choucroute with pork or veal.

Alsace Grand Cru is the appellation for the finest wines from the Alsace region of north-east France. Created in 1983, the appellation was based on a classification of the region's vineyards carried out in 1975 and has been the subject of multiple revisions since.

The vineyards included in the Grand Cru often have a reputation centuries old, which in combination with the best grape varieties, limited yields and rigorous quality control give rise to wines of special distinction that truly express their origins.

The south-east facing slopes of the Spiegel Grand Cru offer stony clay, richly mineral soils that retain moisture well. The name Spiegel, German for mirror, alludes to the site's ability to catch the rising sun and reflect its light across the vines throughout the day.

Spiegel wines have a particular balance of airy, elegant finesse with the body and power given by the clay elements in the soil. They are rich, aromatic, distinctive and luxurious wines.

Unique selection of grapes, blending the qualities of Loureiro, Alvarinho and Trajadura. Citric and clean, with floral and fruity notes. Crispy, slight creaminess, with a persistent finish.

A peach-plump and powerful dry Macabeo from Cariñena, with floral and white fruit aromas. 

This is a big, almost unctuous wine, with good acidity balancing generous, silky fruit concentration. Fermentation in temperature controlled tanks preserves the pure flavours of the organically grown grapes.

Serve this well chilled with fish and seafood. Its full, rich style would also make a good choice with the assertive flavours of a barbecue.

Because of the relatively high alcohol and intensity of the style, we think this might work very well on a hot day as the base for an attractive spritzer, or served over ice.

Firmly refreshing but supple and delicious white Burgundy from brothers Paterne and Baudouin Millet of Domaine Millet in Tonnerre.

The finesse, elegance and freshness of the estate's celebrated Chablis wines are already evident in this vibrant, citrus-crisp Chardonnay, which makes an excellent aperitif and a fine accompaniment to starters and light meals.

The intense aromas and full body of this not-quite-dry white wine make it an indulgent glassful to take your time over.

It's powerfully, invitingly floral, with honeysuckle, rosewater and ginger blending on the nose and carried through into an almost unctuous musk and honey body that clings to the glass and is sequinned with fresh fruit acidity.

This is a fine and involving aperitif, and a natural partner for smooth pâtés, a range of fruit desserts and mature (especially blue) cheeses. Its full body and flamboyant flavour palette also work well with exotic flavours, for example in Oriental cuisine when there's a balance of sweet, savoury and spice.

The Manissy estate was built in the middle of the 18th century and belongs to the Congregation of Missionary Fathers of the Holy Family. They planted the first vines in 1916, working the land and making wine using biodynamic methods.

In 2004 young winemaker Florian André was appointed to take charge. He carries on the traditional way of winemaking for the 'Tête de Cuvée' rosé, which was used as Mass wine and greatly appreciated by connoisseurs of rosé wines, but has modernized the cellar and developed new products to broaden the range.

Since 2012, all the wines are certified organic and the range includes two kinds of Tavel, one red Châteauneuf-du-Pape, red and white Lirac, and Côtes-du-Rhône red, white and rosé as well as an all-Syrah IGP Gard.

The estate’s motto, prophetic in the light of Florian's impact on its wines, is: Auspice clara Manissy stella, meaning: 'Under the protection of the bright star of Manissy.'