These High-Scoring White Wines Make Great Gifts
In the realm of wine gifting during the holidays, reds tend to rule the traditional roost. They’re suitable for the colder months, commonly pair well with the season’s roasted meat dishes, and command a bit more gravitas on the table.
At least that’s been the story of the past few generations. But that tale is growing stale thanks to a much more open-minded approach to wine by today’s emergent enthusiasts. The times—and our tastes—are a’changin’, which is opening the door for white wines of all styles to surprise and satisfy the right recipient.
While there are plenty of giftable reds, the white wine category offers arguably more exciting options than exist in red wine, often with more approachable prices. This goes for bottlings up and down the style spectrum, from age-worthy Chardonnays and surprisingly complex Sauvignon Blancs to zesty Pinot Grigios and drink-now Moscatos.
Giving the gift of white wine presents an opportunity for exploring the globe, either to jog up old memories of past trips to a beloved wine region, or to plant the seeds for inspiring new adventures abroad.
Below, we’ve rounded up the highest-scoring bottles from a wide range of popular regions and varietals, along with some of our favorite $20-and-under picks.
Cellar Selections
Pulled directly from our list of Cellar Selections, these whites have the ability to age, transform, and inspire curiosity with each passing year.
Inama 2022 Foscarino Garganega (Soave Classico)
Foscarino as a modern-day muse. An inspiring wine that can lead to greater ideas. This profound wine opens with aromas of quince, roasted Fuji, preserved kumquats and an entire meadow full of flowers that encompasses all senses. Rich on the palate, yet stately the wine threads the needle as flavors of orange flower water, white peach, mint and honey flow into a sea of crushed shells and green almonds giving a salty, savory finish that languishes. Drink Now – 2040 Cellar Selection. 97 Points — Jeff Porter
$35
Redneck Wine Company
Kosta Browne 2021 Cerise Vineyard Chardonnay (Anderson Valley)
Succulent aromas of baked apple and peach are wrapped in notes of acacia honey, crushed graham cracker, and orange marmalade on the nose; the flavors on the palate are pulsating crisp Asian pear, allspice, mandarin orange, and White nectarine, cascading into fresh salinity and a dry, youthful finish. This vineyard site is beloved and highly regarded for its fruit. These selections are well-crafted and delicious to consume now or tuck away to age for more expression. Pair with roasted skate wing, brown butter, sage. Cellar Selection. 97 Points — Tonya Pitts
$95
Woodland Hills Wine Company
White Burgundy
The white wines from France’s famed Burgundy region—not always but most often Chardonnay—are some of the most beloved from around the world. The following bottles are some of our top picks right now.
Domaine Laroche 2022 Les Clos Chardonnay (Chablis)
Complex and layered, this wine strikes a beautiful balance between power and elegance, with ripe citrus, white wildflowers, and earthy white mushroom aromas. Its freshness is stunning, with bright acidity highlighting alluvial stone and mushroom notes, finishing with a fine saline edge. Stunning demonstrating it has all the potential to evolve gracefully with time. 95 Points — Anna-Christina Cabrales
$169
Acker
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Joseph Drouhin 2022 Meursault
Fine vanilla aromas complement fresh almonds and citrus fruit in this wine, creating a focused and vibrant profile with wild white flowers weaving through. Piercing acidity animates a complex palate of light pithy citrus, baked pears, and salty alluvial wet stone. With good concentration for the vintage, it offers a long yet elegant finish. Enjoyable now. 94 Points — A.C.C.
$100
Plum Market
Chardonnay
While Burgundy may be the motherland, great Chardonnay is produced across the globe. These bottles highlight its diversity.
Walter Scott 2022 X Novo Chardonnay (Eola-Amity Hills)
The steely X Novo is easily one of my favorite Willamette Valley Chardonnays. The 2022 is an aromatic treasure trove of buttered popcorn, lavender, sage, orange cake, lemons and the flinty scent of two rocks colliding to spark a flame. Palate-crunching acidity and flavors of iced lemon tea, lemon verbena, saline and white pepper seal the deal. Editors’ Choice. 97 Points — Michael Alberty
$90
B21
Kumeu River 2023 Coddington Chardonnay (Kumeu)
A benchmark New Zealand wine that should have a place in every Chardy lover’s collection, this vintage of Coddington is especially gorgeous. A tightrope walk of briny seashell and smoke characters with bright lemon and stone fruit. The palate is poised, elegant, linear, with racy, citrusy acidity that slices through the textural weight. It’s a complete and utterly drinkable wine now. But it’d be a shame not to wait. This will evolve beautifully over the next 10-20 years. Cellar Selection. 97 Points — Christina Pickard
$70
K&L Wines
Sauvignon Blanc
Though often treated as a fresh, zesty white without much depth or ageability, there is some serious Sauv Blanc being made in the world today, offering more density and attention-grabbing flavors than most would guess.
Greywacke 2022 Wild Sauvignon (Marlborough)
Winemaker Richelle Tyney and team have struck the perfect balance with this vintage of “Wild” which, hence the name, is wild fermented in old oak barrels. The matchstick and toasted almond aromas are there but instead of dominating, they’re tangled up with beach shell, seaweed and preserved lemon characters. The umami, seaside vibes continue on the palate, where a lovely texture and acidity are seamlessly threaded together. An elegant and complex wine. Editors’ Choice. 95 Points — C.P.
$30
Flask Fine Wines
Dog Point 2021 Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
From a single vineyard and aged in old French oak, this wine—always one of New Zealand’s most distinctive Sauvignon Blancs—opens with intensely reductive, sulfuric aromas of struck match, grilled nuts over a smoky fire and buttered toast. The fruit comes on the second beat, with whiffs of baked lemon and passion fruit. Then, on the palate, it all seems to coalesce, with bright acidity, a rich, creamy texture and concentrated flavors pulsing to a very long finish. A love-it-or-hate-it style, but a well-made drop in any case. 94 Points — C.P.
$40
Vine Republic
Gump Hof Markus Prackwieser 2022 Praesulis Sauvignon Blanc (Alto Adige)
The nose is intriguing, with a subtle, slightly funky aroma reminiscent of exotic passion fruit and heady jasmine blossoms, reduced to a delicate, almost ethereal point. Light floral notes dance alongside a hint of fresh-cut grass and green bell pepper. Delicate citrus whispers of lime zest linger in the background. The palate is refreshing and understated, making this wine an easy-drinking choice for any occasion, particularly as an aperitif or paired with light seafood dishes. Editors’ Choice. 94 Points — J.P.
$35
Astor Wines and Spirits
Moscato
Many people, especially those just embarking on their wine enjoyment path, enjoy the easygoing nature of sweeter wines like Moscato. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t be complex either.
Saracco 2023 Moscato (Moscato d’Asti)
Aromas of white peach, magnolia, sage and wild mint waft from the glass of this Moscato d’Asti. The palate is a study in balance, as the sweetness bends to the crisp acidity on the finish. Best Buy. 94 Points — J.P.
$13
Binny’s
Braida di Giacomo Bologna 2023 Vigna Senza Nome Moscato (Moscato d’Asti)
A near flawless combination of fresh and vivid aromas of white peach and green apples, this Moscato d’Asti shines with backing notes of mint and lemongrass. The palate is bright and refreshing with candied lemon zest, lemon verbena and jasmine, all the while being in such great balance that the sweetness is an afterthought. Pure joy in a glass. Editors’ Choice. 94 points. — J.P.
$29
Community Wine and Spirits
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Pinot Grigio
There’s an endless flood of high-quality, fairly priced Pinot Grigio coming out of Italy, and our critics there endorse these refreshing bottlings all the time. But unique New World expressions can be found as well. These top-scoring bottles represent both styles.
Nals Margreid 2022 Punggl Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige)
This wine opens with style and force, making its presence known. Enticing aromas of green apple and citrus, unfold gradually, revealing a complex and intriguing profile as magnolia and sweet spices waft in and out of the glass. The structured palate offers a delightful mix of fruit and non-fruit notes, where zesty citrus and perfectly ripe apples meet intriguing crushed stone nuances. Harmonized by a taut acidity that acts as spotlight on the beauty of this wine. Drink Now – 2040. Cellar Selection. 94 Points — J.P.
$30
Wine.com
Antiquum Farm 2022 Aurosa Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)
This producer’s dedication to Pinot Gris made with intention deserves the utmost respect. The Aurosa’s peach, yeasty sourdough and saline aromas are like an afternoon baking in the kitchen. The wine tastes like a pear tart laced with cinnamon and ginger, and those flavors are embraced by a creamy texture. Editors’ Choice. 94 Points — M.A.
$41
Fine Wine & Good Spirits
California
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are two of California’s white wine superstars. The bottles highlighted below highlight why that is.
Samuel Louis Smith 2023 Spear Vineyard Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills)
Clean and austere aromas of seared lemon and delicate honey meet with subtly tropical hints of ginger and lemongrass on the dynamic nose of this bottling. The palate is tense and vibrant, showing waves of white melon and Asian pear as the vivid acidity pushes deep into the finish. 96 Points — Matt Kettman
$45
Vintage Wines LTD.
Langtry 2023 Lillie’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Guenoc Valley)
This wine is fresh, zesty, with aromas of green guava, kiwi, citrus blossom, and notes of white florals on the nose. The flavors on the palate are kaffir lime, white grapefruit, white nectarine, sedimentary rock, interwoven with good acidity, and a long juicy finish. Pair with tinned fish, marinated green olive, red bell pepper, herbed olive oil. 94 Points — T.P.
$30
Wine Country Connection
If you’re looking to impress someone but don’t want to break the budget, we’ve got you covered with some $20 and under Best Buys, too.
Sauvignon Blanc Under $20
Dancing Crow 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
This wine is lush, bright, with aromas of passionfruit, melon, peach, and Orange blossom honey on the nose. The flavors on the palate are candied orange slices, grapefruit zest, marbled layers of nectrarine, herbs, lime vanilla cream, with a zesty finish. Enjoy with Roasted Pork Shoulder, Grilled Peaches, and Seasonal Veggies. Best Buy. 94 Points — T.P.
$15
Wine Anthology
Pinot Grigio Under $20
Muri-Gries 2023 Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige)
This Pinot Grigio starts with a nose that hints at something special, offering aromas of mixed orchard fruits and a touch of stony minerality. On the palate, it delivers layers of ripe pear, green apple, and a subtle hint of stone fruit, all balanced by vibrant acidity and a whisper of herbal notes. The texture is compelling, drawing you in with each sip and leaving a lasting impression of finesse and depth. A wine that’s both serious and memorable. Drink Now – 2035. Best Buy. 94 Points — J.P.
$13
Wine Express
Chardonnay Under $20
Xanadu 2022 Circa 77 Chardonnay (Western Australia)
With purity, richness and brightness all at once, this exudes lemongrass, key lime pie, white peach, crushed stones and salty sea air. There’s quite the laser beam of acidity in the mouth but just enough textural weight to pull it off. Given its layers it could age gracefully. But for the price and quality now, who can wait. 93 Points — C.P.
$17
The Party Source
More Wine Gift Coverage
- For the best advice and top picks of every kind of wine to give, take a look at these expert-curated lists.
- Whether you want to give red wine, a bottle of Champagne or find the perfect white wine gift, we’ve got you covered.
- Or, consider something out of the ordinary: buy someone special one of these sweet wines instead.
- If you’d prefer to give something that will last longer than an evening, take a look at these great gifts for wine lovers.
From the Shop
Find Your Wine a Home
Our selection of wine glasses is the best way to enjoy a bottle’s subtle aromas and flavors.
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