"Life is too short to drink bad wine," said Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (worth looking up if you don't know who he is), and I tend to agree with him. Don't waste your precious, limited time drinking the plain old ordinary stuff. Drink something good and something with meaning. Before you grab another bottle of vin ordinaire, here are 12 white wines that you absolutely must try.
These aren't just nice white wines. They're wines that almost didn't exist, wines that changed the world, and wines with centuries of remarkable history behind them. Condrieu was once so close to extinction that just a handful of hectares remained in production. Schloss Vollrads has been making wine continuously since 1211. Californian Chardonnay famously bested the greatest names in French wine at a blind tasting in Paris in 1976 and rewrote the modern wine world in the process. Hunter Valley Semillon is Australia's best-kept secret — accidental, extraordinary, and unlike anything else on the planet. These aren't just bottles. They're chapters in a very long, very delicious story.
And before you assume this is a list for people with deep pockets — it isn't. Mosel Riesling is some of the finest and most undervalued wine on the planet, and it often costs less than a decent meal out. Chablis delivers a genuinely unique style of Chardonnay at accessible prices. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is a crowd-pleaser that works at every budget and every occasion. Yes, a really good white Burgundy can be expensive — and yes, it's on the list for good reason. But there are ways into every wine here without mortgaging the house.
Ten Second Summary
- Best to start with: Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or Mosel Riesling — both crowd-pleasing, well-priced, and easy to find in any good wine shop.
- Best value on the list: Mosel Riesling, Chablis, and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc all punch well above their price — none require a remortgage.
- Most prestigious: A really good white Burgundy — Chardonnay from the Côte d'Or — is the most collectable and most imitated white wine on the planet.
- Most unusual: Condrieu (nearly went extinct), Savennières (smells sweet but bone dry), and Santorini Assyrtiko (grown on volcanic rock) are the wines that stop dinner conversation mid-sentence.
- Why drink these 12: Because each one has a story — history, near-extinction, accidental discovery, or wine world revolution — and because really good white wine is one of life's most underrated pleasures.
What's on this page
The 12 Best White Wines to Try Before You Die
- Assyrtiko from Santorini
The Assyrtiko grape makes a magical wine from a magical island and there's nothing else quite like it. It's as simple as that. - A really good white Burgundy
Burgundy is the birthplace of Chardonnay and is the reason it is the most planted white wine grape on the planet. If you haven't tried a really good white Burgundy, you need to. - Californian Chardonnay
Californian Chardonnay helped change the wine world forever ... and for the better. - Mosel Riesling
This is the original low alcohol wine. But, unlike many modern constructions, Mosel Riesling is layered, complex, and age worthy. Oh, yes, and it's utterly delicious! - Schloss Vollrads
This phenomenal German winery has been making wine continuously for over 800 years! No other winery on the planet can say that! Indeed, not many producers of anything can say that! - Savennières
This small appellation in the Loire Valley makes a wine from the Chenin Blanc grape that is truly unique and a paradox to boot: it smells like a sweet wine but is dry as bone when you taste it. - Alsace Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer is one of the most distinctive and unforgettable grape varieties on the planet. The wine is heady, exotic, and exuberant — and no one does it better than Alsace. - Condrieu
Condrieu is made from the Viognier grape and is liquid hedonism. Once, this tiny appellation was the only place Viognier grew and it very nearly became extinct — so you're lucky you're still able to taste this vinous treat! - Bordeaux Blanc – Cru Classé
Although no longer Bordeaux's flagship wine, this blend of primarily Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon is a fine wine classic and emulated around the world by quality-driven producers. - Aged Hunter Valley Semillon
This is Australia's accidental gift to the world of fine wine. Picked early, low in alcohol, and seemingly unremarkable in youth — then aged for a decade and transformed into something extraordinary. Nowhere else does Semillon quite like this. - Chablis
The Chardonnay grown in this small French appellation expresses itself in a truly unique way. Ethereal and filigree yet substantial and dense. There's no other Chardonnay like it. - Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
No other Sauvignon Blanc on the planet tastes as much like Sauvignon Blanc as does Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand's Marlborough region ... and that's a scientific fact!
Where to Start
If the list feels a bit daunting, here's a simple way in. Start at the accessible end: Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most recognisable white wines on the planet — easy to find, instantly enjoyable, and a genuine conversation starter at any table. Mosel Riesling is one of the best-value wines on this entire list: complex, low in alcohol, age-worthy, and often absurdly good for the money. Chablis — lean, mineral, bone dry — is the perfect entry point to one of wine's most distinctive styles.
Work your way up to the more unusual bottles: Santorini Assyrtiko and Alsace Gewürztraminer are wines that taste like nowhere else on earth. Condrieu and Savennières are wines that will make you pause mid-sip and reach for a second glass just to make sure you're tasting what you think you're tasting. Aged Hunter Valley Semillon is Australia's greatest white wine secret — patient, distinctive, and completely unlike anything else.
Then, when the occasion demands it, go for the big ones: White Burgundy and its spiritual New World neighbour, Californian Chardonnay. These are the wines that rewrote history and still live up to their reputations. Each of the 12 on this list is a doorway to more producers, more regions, and more vintages. That's the point of a bucket list.
Best white wines FAQ
Which white wine is considered the best?
The best white wine in the world is widely considered to be a great white Burgundy — specifically a Grand Cru Chardonnay from the Côte de Beaune. Domaine Leflaive's Montrachet and Domaine Ramonet's Bâtard-Montrachet are among the most revered bottles on the planet. But "best" in wine is always personal: Condrieu is extraordinary, Savennières is unlike anything else, and a great Mosel Riesling from a good vintage can outlive you. This list has 12 candidates — the answer depends on your palate.
What is the king of white wine?
The king of white wine is most commonly said to be Chardonnay — the world's most planted white grape and the variety behind the greatest white Burgundies, Chablis, and Californian Chardonnay. Some argue Riesling deserves the crown for its age-worthiness, range, and complexity. Among individual wines, Le Montrachet — the Grand Cru Burgundy — is most often called the single greatest white wine on earth.
What is the best white wine for beginners?
The best white wine for beginners is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc — it is immediately expressive, easy to understand, and available everywhere at a very reasonable price. Mosel Riesling is a brilliant second choice: low in alcohol, light, and with just enough sweetness to appeal to most palates without being cloying. Chablis is the perfect starting point for anyone who wants to understand what unoaked Chardonnay really tastes like.
Which is better, Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay?
Neither Pinot Grigio nor Chardonnay is objectively better — they are very different wines. Pinot Grigio tends to be light, crisp, and neutral, making it easy-drinking but rarely complex. Chardonnay is the more versatile grape: in its unoaked form — Chablis or Mâcon — it is lean and mineral; in its oaked Burgundy or Californian form it can be rich, complex, and extraordinary. For uncomplicated refreshment, Pinot Grigio. For something with real depth and character, Chardonnay wins comfortably.
What is a good white wine that's not expensive?
Several excellent white wines consistently over-deliver for the price. Mosel Riesling from a good producer is one of the most underpriced fine wines on the planet. Chablis gives you a genuinely distinctive, mineral style of Chardonnay at accessible prices. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc punches well above its weight at most price points. Alsace Gewürztraminer is often cheaper than it deserves to be, given how distinctive and food-friendly it is.
What is the most expensive white wine?
The most expensive white wine in the world is typically a Grand Cru white Burgundy — bottles from producers like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti or Coche-Dury can sell for thousands of dollars. Among the wines on this list, top white Burgundy and Condrieu from the best producers represent the upper tier. The good news is that most of the 12 wines here are accessible well below the level where prices become genuinely absurd.
What is the most versatile white wine?
The most versatile white wine is Chardonnay — it can be made in a lean, mineral, unoaked style (like Chablis), a rich, complex, oaked style (like white Burgundy or Californian Chardonnay), and everything in between. For food pairing versatility, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is hard to beat — it works with seafood, salads, goat's cheese, Asian food, and most light dishes. For sheer range across styles and occasions, Chardonnay takes the crown.
Remember ... life is short, drink better. Drink the best. Discover more of the world's best wines.