David Carne looks beyond the UK top-selling white wines to discover exciting alternatives we should all try

Many wine drinkers are creatures of habit – we have our ‘go-to’ wines and we like to stick to them. Wandering the supermarket aisles, or the shelves of our favourite wine shop, we reach for that Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Prosecco because we know we are going to enjoy it.

This is borne out in the data which suggests that Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are the three most popular white wines in the UK, and Prosecco is the market leading sparkling. Between them these wines make up around 50 per cent of all white and sparkling wine sold in the UK market. And yet there are around 800 recognised white grape varieties in the world and thousands of wine styles.

Our wine choices are often determined by the flavours we enjoy, but also by the fear that if we pick something else, we may have spent money on something we don’t like. This keeps us safe from any nasty surprises but can also mean we don’t discover any hidden gems.

In this article, I thought I’d share some potential styles and regions to explore based on some of those most popular white and sparkling wine styles.

If you like Sauvignon Blanc, try…

We love New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in this country, with its searing acidity, aromatic nose and intense freshness. Outside of New Zealand, South Africa and Chile are also making some amazing Sauvignon Blancs which are worth trying. However, getting a little more creative there are some very fresh Verdejo wines from the Rueda wine region in Spain which Sauvignon Blanc drinkers may enjoy, as well as Picpoul de Pinet wines from France, Albariño wines from Spain, Grüner Veltliner wines from Austria and Fetească Regală wines from Romania. Some of these wines might not only please your palate, but your wallet as well.

If you like Pinot Grigio, try…

While New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc announces itself with bold aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit and fresh herbs, Pinot Grigio takes a more understated approach. It is lighter, and more delicate, offering subtle flavours of lemon, green apple and pear rather than the intense tropical and grassy notes associated with Sauvignon Blanc. For Pinot Grigio lovers wanting to explore further, Italy offers several excellent alternatives, including Soave, Gavi and Verdicchio, wines that maintain a fresh style while offering a little more personality. Elsewhere in Europe, drinkers who enjoy Pinot Grigio’s crisp style may find an appealing alternative in Greece’s mineral-driven Assyrtiko, Portugal’s citrusy Arinto (also used in some Vinho Verde blends), or Sicily’s more textured and aromatic Grillo.

If you like Chardonnay, try…

When it comes to Chardonnay, there are two broad styles with plenty of styles between them. The oaky Chardonnays found in Australia and the USA represent one end of the spectrum, while the fresher styles found in places such as the Mâcon-Villages of Burgundy the other. For the former, some oaked or richer Viogniers found in France, Chile or Australia or oaked Chenin Blanc from South Africa may be a good alternative. Or oaked Chardonnay fans could also consider a white Rioja from Spain or a Encruzado from Portugal. For the lighter unoaked styles, Limoux (France) is often under explored for Chardonnay, as is South Africa and even the UK. And other varieties that are worth considering by unoaked Chardonnay fans are Garnacha Blanca, Marsanne / Roussanne blends from Australia or Vermentino from Tuscany.

If you like Prosecco and Champagne, try…

When it comes to sparkling wines, we also have two very distinct styles – light and fruity as in the Prosecco style, and more complex and textured as is found in Champagne. Light and fruity alternatives include the likes of the Radacini Blanc de Noirs from Moldova or a Pignoletto Frizzante from Italy. Champagne alternatives include Crémant de Bourgogne from France, English sparkling wines, Cava Gran Reserva from Spain, Franciacorta from Italy or Cap Classique from South Africa. Look for examples with age if you want something closer to that hallmark Champagne profile.

So, go explore!

Next time you are shopping for wine, you might want to explore some alternatives. And don’t worry, if you are a red drinker, I’ll have some recommendations for you in Birmingham Living in the autumn. As always, whatever you are drinking, please do so responsibly.

DAVID’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER

Something Sparkling:
Krone Rosé Cap Classique – £21, Wineswithattitude
Expect a pale salmon hue, fine mousse and a refreshing berry fruit driven flavour profile, supported by a hint of toasted hazelnut and biscuit.

Something Fresh and Fruity:
Nos Somos Vinho Verde – £10, Morrisons
Crisp, refreshing, orchard fruit and citrus with a hint of tropical pineapple, passion fruit and blossom. A little effervescent.

Something Big and Bold:
Zensa Organic Nero di Troia IGP Puglia – £14.50, Urban Grapes
A big, luscious red, bursting with blackcurrant, spice, plum, smooth tannins and cocoa with a long finish.

Something Classic:
Louis Jadot Bourgogne Gamay – £21.99, Simplywinesdirect.uk
Medium bodied red with tart cherry, plum, spice and berries, with a nice leathery, earthy, mushroom note on the finish.

Something English:
Simsons Blanc de Blancs – £36.55, Strictlywine.co.uk
Green apple, citrus and floral notes, with a slight hint of stone fruit and a nice, toasted brioche note as well as distinctive minerality.

Something Different:
Hola! Barcelona Rosé – £10, Tesco
A fun, easy drinking rosé with light red fruit flavours of strawberries, red cherry, and rose blossoms.