Top 10 White Wines Under $25 to Start the Year

While a large majority of us drink more red wine in the winter, it's still nice to have white wines on hand for when the weather warms up or the meal calls for it. Here are our top 10 best selling white wines under $25 to help you get started. Is it me, or do these deals seem even better in the "off-season?"

10. 2009 Kalinda Rheingau Riesling Qba ($10.99) A staff favorite (we're almost all sluts for Riesling). K&L's Chiara Shannon says it best: "With moderate alcohol, bright lime and floral aromatics and flavors, and unctuous acidity to balance the subtle residual sugar, this wine tastes great with just about anything. It is especially handy for take-out and leftover nights, or when you are feeling like having a little wine with lunch...at $10.99 this should be a kitchen staple."

9. 2006 Jo Pithon "Les Bergères" Anjou Blanc ($11.99) From K&L's David Othenin-Girard: "This is what I want to be drinking all the time...It begins with an intense nutty aromas, backed by spice and carmelized pear. As the bottle aerates, the nuttiness takes a back seat, and more vibrant citrus comes forward. Versatile and complex. At this new price (previously $26), this is one of my favorite wines int he store right now.

8. 2008 Patient Cottat "Le Grand Cailliou" Sauvignon Blanc ($10.99) I served the 2007 at my wedding and wowed quite a few people with this wine's freshness and versatility. Like a Sancerre for half the price!

7. 2007 Domaine André Auvigue Pouilly-Fuissé "Solutré" ($17.99) I bet you didn't expect to see a Pouilly-Fuissé on this list! Offered elsewhere at $45, this tasty white Burgundy is a steal at nearly half the price, with distinguishing hazelnut, mineral and floral notes to complement the Chardonnay fruit.

6. 2008 MaRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($19.99) If you prefer fuller-bodied, richer California Chardonnays, then this is up your alley. It's still balanced, with good minerality and acidity, and green apple rather than tropical fruit notes. 

5. Domaine Vocoret Chablis 1er Cru "La Forêt" ($19.99) The second white Burgundy on this list, and this time it's a Premier Cru. This wine sells for $30-35 elsewhere, and its character definitely belies even that more expensive price. Plenty of energy and richness, with classic Chablis limestone minerality.

4. 2009 Grüner by Etz Kamptal Grüner Veltliner (1L $11.99) Who doesn't love a big, juicy botlle of GrüVe? A staff favorite for lazy afternoons, this is lively, with white pepper, melon and ginger notes. Easily one of the best deals at K&L.

3. 2008 Talbott "Logan" Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay ($15.99) An wine under $20 with Parker points is a rare breed. This is a rich, fruit-driven California Chardonnay with tropical fruit and hints of oak spice.

2. 2008 Bernier Chardonnay Vins du Pays Jardin de la France ($6.99) This is NOT for the Rombauer fan, but instead for those who like their Chardonnays minerally, crisp, bright and quaffable. 

1. 2009 Domaine Renaud Mâcon-Charnay ($12.99) K&L's Mike Jordan says: "Tired of the oaky, buttery Chardonnay? This is the wine to try: unoaked, but with great mid-palate weight and acidity. This is the style of Chardonnay I love, and I think you will too."

Leah Greenstein

Comments

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Nowadays, the possibilities seem endless. One reason, I submit, is that with little access to the classically great wines, yet with a public thirst for greatness that far exceeds that of 30 years ago, importers, distributors, sommeliers and consumers themselves have been compelled to seek out wines that nobody paid attention to 25 years ago, if they even exist.