Rating of the best dry white wines for 2020

Dry white wine is an exquisite drink that can make even the most ordinary dinner brighter and more interesting. Correctly selected alcohol not only reveals all its nuances, but also emphasizes the dignity of the dishes served to the table.

Most of us, not being wine experts, get lost in the huge variety of alcohol that shops offer. In order to choose a worthy product from the entire assortment, you need to pay attention to some characteristics, which we will discuss below.

How to choose a delicious wine

When choosing a wine in a store, we only have a visual assessment. It is worth paying attention to the following points:

• Bottle.

If the bottle is of a standard shape, then it should have a concave bottom. However, some wine containers may not have a special depression. Also, pay attention to the color of the container glass - it should be thick and dark to protect the product from the negative effects of sunlight.

• Label.

Most of the space on the bottle is occupied by the label, which should be thoroughly studied, because it gives us the maximum amount of information about the origin of the product and its quality. So, the label should contain the following information:

1. Product name - most often a wine is named according to the variety from which it is made (for example, Riesling) or in honor of the province in which the vineyards are located.
2. Manufacturer - the name of the manufacturer must be indicated without fail, because it is the openness of the brand that indicates the quality of the product.
3. Production region - the country and its specific part in which the grapes were grown. The most popular brands are from France and Italy, but they often have a rather high price tag. Fairly good alcohol at an acceptable cost is also produced in Portugal, New Zealand, South American countries, etc. It is important that the region of production coincides with the place of bottling, otherwise the quality of the product may be questionable.
4. The variety is one of the most important characteristics, because all the organoleptic qualities of the product depend on it. As mentioned above, the variety often acts as the name of the product and is written in large print on the label. Dry white wines are most often made from Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Albariño, Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc, etc.
5. Sugar content. In dry wine, the amount of sugar should not exceed 4 g per 1 liter.
6. Vintage (vintage). This characteristic is important for wines of the middle price category and expensive. Of course, over the years, the drink only gets better, but this is subject to all storage conditions. When purchasing inexpensive alcohol in supermarkets, it is better to opt for younger wines, which will ensure its quality to a greater extent.
7. Quality category. Displayed as an abbreviation of capital English letters and may vary depending on the country of manufacture. For example, AOC or DOGG - products of the highest elite quality, VdP or IGP (IGT) - a product with a clear reference to the region of production.Table wine is a quality product, but without much versatility in its characteristics.
8. Price is an ambiguous characteristic. It is important to remember here that the quality of a product is not always directly proportional to its cost. Of course, when buying the cheapest alcohol, you should not hope that it will amaze with its sophistication. But even among the budget options, there are those that can pleasantly surprise. Collectible elite alcohol is known to be of high quality, but its price can be simply astronomical. You can choose a lot of good things among the middle price category, it is important to consider all of the above.

The taste of wine also largely depends on the correct presentation - even the most refined drink can be spoiled by an inappropriate snack. Therefore, it must be remembered that dishes from poultry, lean white fish, and seafood are most suitable for dry white wines. At the same time, the dishes should not be overly flavored with spices and spices. Also, dry white goes well with cheese slices, non-acidic fruits, neutral desserts.

Now that we know how to choose a decent drink, let's look at the best dry white wines in different price ranges.

Budget options

Massandra Kokur

The Production Association "Massandra" in the Republic of Crimea specializes in dessert red wines, and therefore this product is unfairly deprived of attention. "Kokur" is a dry white wine made from the grape variety of the same name (white kokur), which grows only in the Crimea. Light golden in color, it has a harmonious and soft taste with noticeable mineral notes. Unlike most dry wines, this one stands out for its muted sourness due to the sweetness of the grapes. Drinking will perfectly complement a dinner of lean fish or vegetables, can be combined with fruits and cheese. It is also worth noting the information content of the label, which displays all the necessary information, including the harvest year.

Strength: 13%.

Price: from 310 rubles.

• the product is regionally linked to the place where the grape variety grows;
• astringency is practically not felt - suitable for those who do not like "sour";
• more like semi-dry due to mild sourness and perceptible sweetness;
• can be used not only as an addition to fish or poultry dishes, but also independently;
• The optimum ratio of price and quality.

• some users note some sharpness, which passes after the bottle is open.

Cornaro pinot grigio veneto

Cornaro Pinot Grigio is a dry wine from the Veneto region of Northern Italy. Made from one grape variety - Pinot Grigio. The drink has a golden straw color with a fresh, balanced fruity bouquet with mineral notes. In the aftertaste, green apple, lemon, honey are most felt. Noticeable sourness makes it an excellent addition to fish dishes, white meat, vegetable snacks. The most popular vintages are 2013 and 2015.

Strength: 12%.

Price: from 320 rubles.

• bright fruity aroma;
• rich and long-lasting aftertaste;
• easy to drink.

• not for everybody because of the sour taste.

Golubitskoe Estate Riesling

An exquisite drink from the Villa Romanov winery Golubitskoye estate (Krasnodar Territory). Dry white wine Golubitskoe Estate Riesling is made from the grape variety of the same name - Riesling, which is grown in the vineyards of the manufacturer. The drink is light straw in color and is juicy with a noticeable sourness characteristic of Riesling. The multifaceted aftertaste reveals citrus notes. Drinking goes well with white fish, lean meat, vegetable salads.

Strength: 12.5%.

Cost: from 500 rubles.

• multi-layered slightly tart taste, in which citrus notes stand out with a touch of sweet herbs, yellow pear, peach, wet stone;
• easy to drink without a snack;
• minimalistic design of the bottle and label.

• not found.

Una Delicia Sauvignon Blanc by Vinedos Puertas

Refreshing and light white wine from the new world. Made from Sauvignon Blanc grown in Vinedos Puertas' own vineyards in Chile's Central Valley.A light straw-colored drink with a light and harmonious taste, dominated by notes of fruits, gooseberries, apricots, and mineral nuances. Moderate acidity. The aroma is herbaceous-fruity, characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc.

Strength: 12.5%.

Price: from 330 rubles.

• decent sauvignon blanc at a low price;
• taste without excessive sophistication “for every day”.

• not very pronounced aroma and short aftertaste;
• bottling is not done in the region of production.

Prestigium Blanc Sec

A pleasant table wine made from white grape varieties, produced in France by the Les Grands Chais de France (GСF) group of companies. Despite its budget, it boasts good organoleptic characteristics: a delicate fruity bouquet with mild acidity is complemented by the warm aroma of ripe fruits. Most users say that if you let the wine stand for a bit, its taste only gets better. It is a good gastronomic addition to pasta, seafood, fish and poultry.

Alcohol: 11%.

Price: from 440 rubles.

• acceptable French alcohol at a low price;
• without excess acidity.

• expressionless, without a pronounced aftertaste.

Mid-range drinks

Artwine Rkatsiteli Qvevri by Askaneli Brothers

Dry white table wine from Georgia (Kakheti). Rich in aftertaste and aroma, as befits a Georgian wine. Rich golden even amber color, because of which it often falls into the line of orange wines. It is produced 100% from one grape variety - Rkatsiteli Qvevri, which grows in the east of the country. Despite the fact that the drink belongs to the category of canteens, its taste is rather multi-layered, in which notes of nuts, honey and spices are felt. The rich aroma contains notes of ripe peach, apple, pear.

Strength: 13%.

Cost: from 850 rubles.

• there is no minerality and excess acid;
• close to red wine;
• universally in terms of combination with food: suitable for fish, meat, fruits, cheese;
• easy to drink, leaving a long aftertaste.

• no harvest year specified.

Muros Antigos Escolha by Anselmo Mendes

Vintage dry wine from the Portuguese province of Vinho Verde. Harvested in 2017. Produced from three grape varieties: Loureiro, Avesta and Albariño, each of which gives the product its characteristic features. Loureiro, which is 40% in the product, gives it a delightful floral scent with notes of melon and grapefruit. Avessu (also 40%) gives the drink a mineral note. In general, the drink is quite fresh and delicate, soft in texture with a light citrus bouquet, in which notes of pineapple, lemon, green apple, pear, etc. can be distinguished. The light golden drink can be used as an aperitif, or in combination with seafood or meat birds.

Strength: 12.5%.

Cost: from 900 rubles.

• light taste;
• the combination of 3 grape varieties makes the drink versatile;
• the product is marked DOC, which indicates its decent quality;
• can serve as an aperitif or an excellent addition to seafood, fish or white meat dishes, as well as a vegetarian menu.

• most of the negative reviews are associated with high acidity.

Passaros Alvarinho Loureiro Escolha by Anselmo Mendes

Another 2017 vintage from Anselmo Mendes is a dry white wine Passaros Alvarinho Loureiro Escolha. It is a blend of albariño and loureiro. The first grape variety makes the drink full-bodied, gives it structure, due to which it has a long aftertaste. The second adds softness and fruity notes. Characterizing the bouquet, it is worth emphasizing its versatility: the citrus base (lime and tangerine stand out the most) is permeated with notes of spicy herbs and flowers, green apple with mineral echoes. Passaros Alvarinho is an excellent aperitif, complements seafood and poultry dishes.

Strength: 12.5%.

Cost: from 700 rubles.

• rich and fresh taste with a bright multi-layered aftertaste;
• balanced acidity;
• DOC marking;
• excellent quality at a low price.

• some call it too simple.

Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc by Private Bin

An exquisite drink from New Zealand's most famous winery - Villa Maria. Wines from this region are undeservedly deprived of customer attention, although they have excellent organoleptic characteristics. The golden-straw color of the drink has a balanced and pure taste with a slight bitterness, in which the notes of lime, grapefruit, lemon stand out most of all, among them you can also feel the shades of tropical fruits, as well as peach, green apple. The light aroma contains citrus, peach, and mineral notes. The vintages of 2017 and 2018 attract particular attention.

Strength: 13%.

Cost: from 1300 rubles.

• estimate for VIVINO depending on the harvest year from 4.1 to 4.4;
• refreshing and light;
• rich and juicy, but not aggressive acidity;
• screw cap to keep wine leftovers.

• not found.

Martin Codax Albarino

A pleasant drink with fruity accents from the Galician region of Rias Baixas in Spain. It consists of 100% albariño grapes, due to which it has a balanced and harmonious taste. The notes of green apple, lemon, lime and pear stand out brightly in it, mineral accents, honey and peach are subtle nuances. A subtle citrus aroma strikes with its sophistication, floral and herbal echoes. This Spanish alcohol is perfect as an aperitif, it is also a safe option for dishes from all kinds of seafood, lean fish, poultry. Cheese, light salads are also combined with it. Vintages 2015 and 2016 are especially popular.

Strength: 13%.

Price: from 1950 rubles.

• balanced without excessive acidity;
• refreshing with bright fruity notes;
• goes well with all seafood and pasta.

• most negative reviews are associated with incomplete disclosure of the taste potential of albariño: not deep enough and multi-layered taste.

Elite wines

Sancerre Les Romains by Domaine Vacheron & Fils

Domaine Vacheron & Fils is the most famous wine estate in the commune of Sancerre (France, Loire Valley). A distinctive feature of this manufacturer is a commitment to organic farming, the use of only natural products when caring for the vine. All this is reflected in both the quality of the product and its cost. Sancerre Les Romains is a sauvignon blanc wine rich in flavors. The drink from the Loire Valley, golden in color with a juicy and refreshing aroma, impresses with its sophistication and multi-layered bouquet: spicy herbs and anise are woven into the flow of citrus fruits. A long and piquant aftertaste tingles the tongue with mineral notes. The most popular vintages 2014 and 2016.

Strength: 13%.

Price: from 6940 rubles.

• AOC marking shows that the product belongs to the highest quality category;
• rating 4.1 on VIVINO;
• rich and multifaceted taste with a silicon core;
• moderate acidity;
• versatile in terms of combination with various dishes.

• expensive.

Capo Martino by Jermann

Capo Martino is a blend of 5 grape varieties produced in the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. For the production of Capo Martino, the following varieties are used: Tokay Friulano (70% of the total share), Pinot Blanc, Malvasia, Ribolla Jalla, Picolit in equal shares. This combination of varieties makes the drink rich and versatile. The bouquet contains notes of orange, lime, tropical fruits, vanilla, apricot and pear. All this variety ends with a light bitterness and mineral aftertaste. The aroma is just as rich - citrus, passionfruit and vanilla are vividly felt. The most appreciated vintages are 2014 and 2015.

Strength: 13.5%.

Cost: from 8730 to 11900 rubles. depending on the vintage.

• refined and sophisticated for true connoisseurs;
• balanced organoleptic qualities: acidity is balanced by sweetish notes;
• rich and multi-layered aroma;
• VIVINO rating 4.2.

• high price.

Ribolla by Gravner

Varietal wine from Friuli Venezia Giulia from the legendary Italian producer Josko Gravner. For its production, the ribolla jala variety is used.The main principle of the winemaker Gravener is minimal interference in the wine production process. By his decision, the wine was aged not in steel and wooden vats, but in terracotta amphoras, as the Greeks and Romans did in ancient times. The use of traditional methods enriches the drink with nuances of taste and smell. Golden amber (orange) almost coppery. The bouquet is quite complex. It contains candied fruit, orange, honey, apricot, oven apples. Balanced and balanced acidity is manifested in a mineral-spicy aftertaste.

Strength: 14%.

Cost: from 9060 rubles. and higher depending on the harvest year.

• the drink is aged for 6 years in oak barrels;
• terracotta amphorae are used for vinification;
• complex and interesting taste for a connoisseur;
• multi-layered aroma;
• rating 4.3 on VIVINO.

• high price;
• a little strong.

As you can see, good and tasty wine can be found among both expensive and budget options. It is important to understand that any of them requires the correct presentation and appropriate combination with food, because it depends on this whether it will reveal all its advantages to you or not.