The Best White Wine to Give

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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.

Depending on your recipient’s preferences and the intention of your gift—see our red wine gift guide—for further consideration of both those elements, 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.

The best way to do this is to hit your neighborhood wine merchant, who’ll be excited to help find the right bottle. But if that’s not an option, here are suggestions from our critics from near and far, spanning from familiar to unique and high-priced to entry-level.

The Best Chardonnay to Give

Great gifts should have an element of surprise and, if they’re really special, a bit of education too.

For those who think Chardonnay is buttery and fat, this racy, stony Beauregard is the perfect antidote, bringing all the maritime freshness that comes from growing on the peaks of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

If it’s time to splurge and buy one of the better domestic Chardonnays available, then opt for this bottling from Oregon’s pioneering Eyrie Vineyards, which offers both a taste of the past and a link to the future, according to our critic Michael Alberty.

The Best Moscato (Sweet & Semi-Sweet) to Give

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.

Of note? Bottles from Sicily. “Everyone already loves wines from Etna, and thanks to White Lotus, that wine producing area of Italy will be erupting for years to come,” says our Italian critic Danielle Callegari. “But try one made from 100% Moscato di Noto, a land mine of a grape from a little known DOC in the southeast corner of the island, and you’ll get treated to a wave of salty but juicy wines exploding with flavor.”

Planeta 2022 Allemanda Moscato di Noto (Noto)

The nose is the end of a picnic on the beach, as the smell of low tide starts to overpower the sweetness of fruit salad and the vegetal aroma of sea grass. On the palate, that salty blast emphasizes the savory, sophisticated qualities of the fruit and a mix of spices, before the sleekness of almond skin emerges for a gliding finish. 94 points. — Danielle Callegari

$91
Oro Wine

But quality Moscato exists closer to home as well, says our California critic Tonya Pitts. She’s fond of the Electra Moscato from Quady, located in the Golden State’s Central Valley. “It’s one in a long line of offerings demonstrating the producer’s dedication to highlight the region’s best expressions of lesser known grape varietals at a reasonable price,” she explains.

Quady 2022 Electra Moscato (California)

This wine is fresh, lively and supple. Aromas suggest canned peach and pear, candied apple and orange blossom water. Other notes waft through, including crystalized ginger, white tea, lemon honey, dried fennel and maple syrup. Layers of rock and minerality throughout the palate help create a balanced, long and dry finish. Great alternative to dessert wine with lower ABV. Try it as an apertif with soda water over ice. 90 points. — Tonya Pitts

$18
Wine.com

The Best Sauvignon Blanc to Give

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.

“There are very few Sauvignon Blancs around that capture my excitement like Aperture’s, which is a beautiful California interpretation of White Bordeaux,” says Tom Capo, our Sonoma-based critic. “Blended with a bit of Semillon, this is a home run for people who want a bit more richness and length in their white wines.”

Across the mountains in the Napa Valley, some of those Cab-focused winemakers are producing elegant whites as well. “Sauvignon Blanc has so much versatility,” says Elaine Chukan Brown, our Napa writer-at-large. “The Vertu shines for its combination of sophistication and freshness. A delicious wine.”

The Best Pinot Grigio to Give

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.

This single-vineyard bottling comes from Napa Valley grapes, but is produced by the Texas Hill Country-based Ranch Brand. Sporting a fun label of two birds chomping grapes, this might be the most affordable Napa wine on the market today.

The Best Organic White Wine to Give

People love to show their enthusiasm for sustainable causes with their buying choices. So, if you are searching for a wine for that special someone who shops at the farmers’ market and never strays from the organic aisle at grocery stores, then this bottling by eco-leader Bonterra should hit the spot.

“This is a beautiful expression of cool climate chardonnay,” says Pitts. “This wine is a perfect example of organic fruit expanded by clonal selections, which assist in creating vibrant flavor profiles.”

Bonterra 2022 The Roost Blue Heron Vineyard Chardonnay (Mendocino)

This wine is fresh, luscious, youthful stone fruit, citrus blossoms, interlaced baking spices, fried banana, melon, white flowers, zipping into zesty lemon, Kaffir lime, baked apple with a minerally finish. Enjoy with the sunshine and seafood. 93 points. — T.P.

$35
Bonterra

The Best French White Wine to Give

For wine lovers of certain persuasions, the only option is to go French or go home. Might as well go straight to the top with white Burgundy.

“This wine is a remarkable find, especially considering its price-to-quality ratio,” says Anna-Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast’s tasting director. “Its reductive character makes it a thoughtful gift for even the most discerning wine collectors. It’s already a beautifully intricate expression of delicate, nuanced layers. They may be tempted to pop the cork early only to realize that it holds even more promise with time.”

Bouchard Père & Fils 2019 Premier Cru (Beaune)

Indulge in this wine’s freshness and depth of aromas from a complex meld of lemon verbena, citrus pith, green pear, white peach and dandelion, framed by a sophisticated touch of oak-spice. The palate is refined, and provides good body and texture, with the perfect touch of stoniness and oak spice on the finish. A beautiful expression that should be even more showstopping with additional bottle age. 94 points. — Anna-Christina Cabrales

$105
Wine.com

Best White Wine Gift Baskets to Give

Want to send a bit more than wine? There are a handful of companies who diligently pack together baskets with white wine as well as treats and specialty items from specific regions.