French White Wine

CW's No. 1 party white, this fruity blend of Colombard and Ugni-Blanc from southwest France is a genuine crowd-pleaser. Tank-fermentation at very cool temperatures produces a fresh, fruity wine marked by assertive flavors and aromas of grapefruit, lemon-lime and orange peel.

Made by brothers Gérard and Daniel Vinet, this comes from the subregion of Muscadet called Sèvre et Maine, considered the best ripening area for the briskly fruity Muscadet grape. Rich and pure, with up front lemon peel, melon and peach flavors, this is seasoned with mineral notes that stay persistent on the lengthy finish.

Dubonnet is the nation's top selling aperitif, with a long and storied history that is enjoying renewed popularity as consumers return to classic cocktails. Dubonnet was once the preferred beverage of the French Foreign Legion. Today, Dubonnet is available internationally in both Rouge and Blanc varieties and is a key ingredient in classic drinks such as the Dubonnet Cocktail and the Dubonnet Kiss. In the words of master mixologist Dale DeGroff, with its rich ruby color, spicy aroma and refreshing flavors, Dubonnet embodies the best of the aperitif category.

Whether you are a White Burgundy lover on a budget, or just someone looking for a great house white for everyday imbibing or for parties/weddings/social functions, Cave de Lugny Macon-Villages "La Cote Blanche" is as close to a no-brainer as anything I've ever come across. Despite the absurdly low price, it gives me the sophistication I look for in $25 White Burgundies – nervy, energetic fruit, subtle minerality, and, most elusively of all, the sheer joie de vivre that only well-made White Burgundy can convey. A virtual clone of the 2010 vintage, named Decanter’s #1 Chardonnay under $15, the 2011 "La Cote Blanche" offers up fresh, Chablis-like mineral, yellow fruit and floral notes, followed on the palate, by light, bright, flavors of fresh cut apple, pear, and white flowers. Completely unoaked, it has a sneaky intensity of flavor that persists right through to the energetic finish.
-- Ben Giliberti, CW Director of Wine Education

A soft, yet also mineral-textured wine. Its lemon and grapefruit flavors are crisp, reflecting the taut structure of the vintage. A fresh wine, with a crisp finish, ready to drink.

Produced in Entre-Deux-Mers ("between two seas"), a picturesque region of Bordeaux sandwiched between the Garonne and the Dordogne rivers, this zesty Bordeaux blanc from the highly regarded 2010 vintage is a perfect all around summer white. Although most Entre-Deux-Mers is dominated by the assertive Sauvignon Blanc grape variety, Château Martinon's conscientious owner, Jerome Trolliet, favors Sémillon, using it for more than 60% of the blend, with Sauvignon Blanc (30%) and Muscadelle (10%) making up the rest. The emphasis on Sémillon yields a wine that is considerably more rich and savory than most Bordeaux Blanc.  The floral and mineral scented 2010 Château Martinon offers juicy lemon, citrus, and marmalade fruit, which makes it an ideal accompaniment to oysters (the classic match), fish,  grilled poultry, and light meats. It is also a great choice to sip all by itself, with the sea breezes blowing.