Fine White Wine

So what defines a fine white wine? Well, the truth is there is no official definition of fine wine. And you’ll find many different answers if you have a quick search online. To some people, fine wine is defined by price. For others, it’s about a wine’s rarity or reputation. You can read our take in our article on What is fine wine?  

Ultimately it comes down to taste. A fine wine should have balance (where the acidity, tannin, sweetness, body and alcohol are all in harmony), complexity (the wine reveals many different layers of aromas and flavours), length (the flavours should last in the mouth) and elegance. It should reflect the unique terroir in which it was grown. And above all, a fine white wine should be a pleasure to drink!

Traditionally, the best fine white wines came from Europe, especially the classic French regions, and Germany, which was renowned for its fine Rieslings. But these days, fine white wines can come from any wine region in the world, from the Mosel to Margaret River. 

That’s not to say that provenance doesn’t matter. Only the best vineyard sites can produce truly ‘fine wine’ and it’s important that fine wines have a clear sense of place. For example, thanks to the region’s cool climate and Kimmeridgian soils, Chablis has a purity and mineral quality that makes it distinctly different to Chardonnay grown anywhere else in the world.

Not always. There are certainly many fine white wines which have excellent potential for ageing. In particular, the fine whites of Burgundy and fine German Riesling can evolve beautifully for decades. But there are many factors that affect age-worthiness … grape variety, how the wine has been made, and where it’s from.

The easiest way to tell whether the wine you choose ages well is to look at the ‘Drink by’ dates on our website. It’s not the same as an expiry date but rather when we think the wines will be drinking at their best.

To maximise the longevity and maintain the quality of your wines as they age, you need to store them in ideal conditions. Wines should be aged horizontally, out of direct sunlight and with a constant cool temperature. 10-13 degrees is considered the optimum temperature for white wines.   

Of course, a cellar is perfect but not everyone has one! Other options include a temperature-controlled ‘wine fridge’, an outbuilding or garage, or in a storage cabinet kept in a cool place.

Take a look at our 5 tips and tricks for storing wine at home to find out more.  

And if you’re looking for long-term storage of fine wine, we recommend you take advantage of our customer storage facility in Gloucester. 

Storage is available for any wine you buy from us in our state-of-the-art warehouse. Temperature and humidity are not only monitored in various parts of the warehouse, they’re also actively controlled. Visit our fine wine hub to find out more or call our fine wine team on 03330 148 202.

It depends on your personal taste! In terms of what are the most expensive fine white wines, Grand Cru white Burgundy still top the list. Many of the famous Bordeaux châteaux make fine white wines, not just red. And Sauternes in Bordeaux is home to the most expensive sweet white wines, notably Château Yquem.

One of the best ways to buy fine white Bordeaux and Burgundy is En Primeur. It’s essentially a way of buying wines before they’ve been bottled. To find out more, have a look at our fine wine hub or get in touch with our fine wine team at finewine@laithwaiteswine.com or call 03330 148 202.