White wine

There are plenty of great reasons to buy from Laithwaites. Here are just a few:  

• Trust – we’ve been a family wine merchant for 50 years, with over 400,000 happy customers. Our customer service is second to none – reflected in our ‘excellent’ Trustpilot rating.
• Quality – every year our team of buyers taste 40,000 bottles to bring you the best. Just 800 (that’s 2%) make the grade.
• Range – our buyers don’t just sit in an office and make phone calls. They visit wineries all over the world – often small family cellars – to bring you authentic, handcrafted wines that you won’t find in your local supermarket.
• Convenience – no need to struggle to the car with bulky bottles. We deliver straight to your door.
• Peace of mind – with our no-quibble guarantee, you never need to worry about getting a bad bottle. If you don’t like a wine – for whatever reason – you don’t pay for it.  

And last but not least … we’re committed to leading the way in becoming more sustainable in all areas of the business. That’s why we were named Decanter’sGreen Champion of the Year in 2023.

The day of your delivery will depend on which option you’ve chosen at checkout.  

• For a standard delivery, we will deliver your order within three working days. Delivery to the Scottish Highlands, some other areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and offshore islands can take an extra few days.
• Usual delivery times are between 07.00 and 21.00.
• You can select Next-day or Named-day delivery at checkout – but do bear in mind we don’t deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays.  

For the best experience we recommend you subscribe to our Unlimited service. A one-off payment of £29.99 entitles you to free delivery for a year – including free Next-day delivery. There’s no minimum order – you’ll get free delivery even on a single bottle. And you can get delivery to multiple addresses, so it’s perfect for gifting!

Yes! It’s quick and easy to join our Wine Club.

You’ll start discovering new wines for less right away – and once you’re in you can easily tailor your subscription to your needs.

Want to skip or delay a delivery? No problem. Fancy a different style? We’ve a wide range to choose from. Want to swap in some of your favourite wines? It’s easy to do online. We’ll send a reminder email the week before delivery so you’ll have time to make any changes you like.

Learn more about laithwaites wine subscriptions

We want you to enjoy every bottle you buy from us. If you are not completely satisfied with any wine, for any reason, just let us know and you’ll receive a refund.  

Plus, we always want you to receive exactly what you need. If we deliver a case and it’s not wanted, just email us at customerservice@laithwaites.com and we’ll take care of it.

The different styles of white wines come largely from the grape varieties they are made from, each bringing different flavours and aromas. There are somewhere close to 600 different white wine varieties across the world … which means an awful lot of styles to explore. Here’s a closer look at some of the more well-known white wine styles and ideas for food pairings to bring out their best:

Chardonnay: This versatile wine offers a variety of flavours, depending on where it’s made. From the zing of lemon zest and mineral undertones in France to the warmth of baked apples, vanilla and tropical fruits in Australia. Try a glass with grilled chicken, creamy pasta dishes or seafood such as lobster.

Chenin Blanc: depending on the winemaking style, Chenin can be anything from lean and minerally to rich in honey and apricot flavours. Dry Chenin has become a staple of South African winemaking, but it also makes fabulous sweet and sparkling wines in France. It works exceptionally well with Asian cuisine, roasted veggies or a selection of soft cheeses.

Pinot Grigio: this easy-drinking Italian wine is celebrated for its characteristic mix of pear and citrus flavours. Keep it Mediterranean with Italian foodie favourites such as antipasti, light salads and freshly prepared seafood dishes.

Riesling: a highly aromatic wine bursting with peach and crisp green apple flavours. Off-dry styles offer a delightful mix of fruit and honey, while refreshingly dry Rieslings zip and zing. Try with Thai dishes, sushi or pork-based meals.

Sauvignon Blanc: perhaps the world’s current favourite style of white wine, Sauvignon is known for its punchy flavour and zingy acidity. Styles from New Zealand in particular overflow with tropical flavours like grapefruit, lime, passionfruit and green pepper. A glass can work well with various dishes – from goat’s cheese and green salads to grilled shrimp.

Viognier: this classic of the Rhône Valley is packed with exotic flavours of peach, apricot and hints of vanilla, all wrapped up with sweet floral aromas. Reach for a chicken curry, grilled fish or roasted vegetables as a good pairing with a glass.

Each variety, with its unique flavour and aroma, adds to the array of white wines available to wine lovers.

Learn more about the most popular types of white wine.

White wine blends are created by skilfully combining multiple grape varieties, resulting in wines with complex flavours and aromas.  Famous examples of white wine blends are: 

Bordeaux Blanc – from France’s world-famous Bordeaux wine region. This blend is made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle grapes.

Champagne – a sparkling wine produced by expertly blending white Chardonnay grapes with its red-skinned siblings – Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Rhône-style white blends – made from Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc these wines tend to be rich and more aromatic.

Serving white wine

To get the best from a glass of white wine, serve it at the right temperature, typically between 7-12°C. While some wines may have specific serving recommendations, this range is generally a good bet.

Opt for a classic wine glass with a narrow bowl and tapered top when pouring, as it amplifies the wine’s aromatic profile. It’s a good idea to hold the glass by the stem to avoid warming the wine with your hand.

Learn more about wine serving temperatures

Storing white wine

There are a few things to consider when storing unopened white wine:

• Temperature: avoid fluctuating temperatures – a consistently cool environment is best.
• Light: sunlight and artificial lighting can compromise a wine’s structure and style, so keep your bottles in a dark storage area.
• Humidity: a 60-70% humidity level will help prevent corks from drying out.
• Vibration: store your white wines away from sources of vibration, such as washing machines, to prevent the sediment in the bottle from being disturbed, which can accelerate ageing. A wine fridge, garage or cupboard under the stairs are good options.