Lush, savoury and palate tingling, aromatic white wines are possible the most suited to food and wine pairing in a restaurant environment.
Loved by sommeliers and praised by diners, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Gris are eligible to be entered in this awards line up for our team of top sommeliers to taste. And if you produce Roero Arneis, Falanghina or Torrontés, don’t feel left our… you can enter too!
| Product Name | Score | Producer | Country | Vintage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turmhof Gewurztraminer |
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Tiefenbrunner | Italy | 2020 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Alto Adige Judges’ Tasting Notes: One taster called the 2020 Turmhof Gewürztraminer from Alto Adige ‘a serious wine with poise and punch’, while another praised its ‘honeyed, floral lift balanced by spice and savoury grip’. It was described as ‘sexy, spicy, and hedonistic’, with a note that it ‘would absolutely sing with grilled lobster or pad Thai’. One panellist, usually wary of the grape, conceded it was ‘a decent expression’. |
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| Silberlack Riesling Grosses Gewächs |
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Schloss Johannisberg | Germany | 2021 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Rheingau Judges’ Tasting Notes: Schloss Johannisberg’s Silberlack Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2021 delivered ‘a lovely balance between phenolics and fruit’, while being ‘pure, luminous, flinty’, and ‘quietly impressive - a wine that speaks with gentle authority’. Suggested pairings included ‘turbot with beurre blanc’ and ‘crab risotto’. One found it ‘substantial, juicy, one dimensional' asking 'will it age?' The winner of the category's Best Overall award. Champion Award: Best Overall |
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| Ried Gottschelle 1OTW Gruner Veltliner |
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Weingut Stift Göttweig | Austria | 2021 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Kremstal Judges’ Tasting Notes: The 2020 Ried Gottschelle 1ÖTW Kremstal Grüner Veltliner from Stift Göttweig, hand-harvested from 50- to 70-year-old vines on loess-rich soils, scooped ‘Best By The Glass’ with praise such as ‘so juicy, so textural’, ‘a real pleasure to drink’, and ‘soft and ripe but with energy’, while one taster described it as having ‘white pepper, Riesling-like, dew, and blossom notes’. Champion Award: By the Glass |
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| Prophet's Rock Pinot Gris |
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Prophet's Rock | New Zealand | 2021 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Central Otago Judges’ Tasting Notes: The 2021 Prophet’s Rock Pinot Gris from Bendigo opens with ‘a slightly nuttier character on the nose with multiple varieties of apples showcased,’ giving ‘a sweeter impression than how sweet it really is.’ One judge praised its oily mouthfeel and ‘very good level on complexity’. Suggested food matches included ‘soy and spice, chargrilled vegetables,’ and even, ‘poulet de Bresse in Vin Jaune sauce. |
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| Gelblack Trocken Riesling |
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Schloss Johannisberg | Germany | 2023 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Rheingau Judges’ Tasting Notes: Schloss Johannisberg’s Gelblack Trocken Riesling 2023 was poetically described as ‘like a spring garden after rain’, ‘a piercing, lime-etched beam with tensile acidity’, and ‘as precise as a scalpel and just as clean’. One taster found it ‘friendly, aromatic, with lemon verbena’. |
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| Inurrieta Orchidea Sauvignon blanc |
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Bodega Inurrieta | Spain | 2024 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Navarra Subregion: Ribera Alta Judges’ Tasting Notes: The Inurrieta Orchidea is a Sauvignon Blanc is 'clean, pure, and perfumed, showing good variety characteristics' and 'very versatile with food - particularly at this price point', with one judge noting it would be 'a perfect pair for a seafood platter on a lovely hot sunny day'. The wine impressed with its 'great acidity very fresh on the palate' and was described as having 'dried stone fruits dominated by yellow plum and apricot' with 'great acidity and reasonable finish', though one judge noted it tasted 'simple.' Despite mixed opinions, it earned Best Value recognition for being 'amazing for by the glass' and 'overdelivering for the price point'. Champion Award: Best Value |
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| Inurrieta Orchidea Cuvée Sauvignon blanc |
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Bodega Inurrieta | Spain | 2022 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Navarra Subregion: Ribera Alta Judges’ Tasting Notes: The Inurrieta Orchidea Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc impressed judges with its perceived combination of 'new/old oak aging, MLF and battonage' leading to 'brioche notes on the nose, a luscious palate with a lot of tropical fruits', though one judge noted 'a slightly forced smoke'. Its saline, orange peel-laden, finish' perfectly suited 'seafood or salty canapés', while another judge suggested pairing it 'with Panettone over Easter'. Despite some criticism about 'buttery popcorn/vanilla notes' being less subtle, the wine impressed with its 'good oily mouthfeel with sufficient amount of acidity'. |
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| Inurrieta Mimao Garnacha blanca |
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Bodega Inurrieta | Spain | 2022 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Navarra Subregion: Ribera Alta Judges’ Tasting Notes: The Inurrieta Mimao Blanco 2022 Garnacha Blanca aged in French oak had 'great complexity' and 'very well defined elements', with one judge 'loving the peachiness, ripe lemon, and soft palate', and another, its 'creamy and yogurt notes'. However, one critic found it 'Gavi-like,' and 'nondescript'. The wine's 'very gastronomic' nature was also mentioned. |
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| Herencia del capricho |
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Bodegas y viñedos Gancedo S.L. | Spain | 2021 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Castilla y León Subregion: Bierzo Judges’ Tasting Notes: From the Arganza (1900) vineyard, Herencia del Capricho 2021 is a 100% Godello aged 13 months on lees in first-use French oak, with only 3,000 bottles produced. Organically farmed and hand-harvested, judges noted a nose of ‘dried mango, apricot, marmalade and bruised orange’, alongside ‘honey and smoke’. The palate reveals ‘sweet melon and ripe pear’ with layers of ‘sweet vanilla, baking spices and a hint of pepper’. Oak is ‘integrated’ and ‘evident but not overpowering’, adding ‘a touch of hay and toast’, along with ‘stirred lees character’ and a ‘creamy’ texture. With ‘good weight and length’, ‘juicy acidity’, and ‘amazing intensity and evolution’ from ageing, judges found it ‘lovely with creamy dishes and seafood’ - an ‘outstanding’ example of a structured, textural style |
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| Capricho Val de Paxariñas |
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Bodegas y viñedos Gancedo S.L. | Spain | 2024 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Castilla y León Subregion: Bierzo Judges’ Tasting Notes: Arising the organically farmed Lamas 1982 vineyard, this 100% Godello from the 2024 vintage is certified organic and vegan, with a production of 70,000 bottles. Bright yellow in colour and manually harvested, it was praised by judges as being ‘remarkably versatile’, with a ‘floral nose’, ‘nice weight and acidity’, and ‘good length’ – ‘great with baked fish and roast poultry’. Judges also found it ‘mineral, salty, zesty’, with ‘lively freshness’, a ‘crisp palate’, and ‘gentle fruit/floral aromatics’. The palate was described as both ‘approachable’ and ‘vibrant’, showing ‘candied fruit notes’ and a ‘refreshing tartness... like key lime pie’. ‘Very fresh’ and ‘intensely mineral’, it was deemed ‘perfect with a sea food plate’, and ‘a great and versatile drink’ whether ‘by the glass or food friendly’ |
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| Viver d'Espiells |
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Finca Espiells | Spain | 2024 | |
Purchase |
Aromatic whites Region: Catalonia Subregion: Penedès Judges’ Tasting Notes: From organic vineyards in El Viver and Els Xops, Viver d’Espiells 2024 is a 100% Malvasia de Sitges, crafted with partial oak fermentation and aged on lees for five months. Judges observed it as a light, aromatic white with a ‘cristal clear lemon colour’, showing notes of ‘apple’, ‘pear’, ‘citrus’, and floral hints like ‘jasmine’. The palate was found to be ‘dry’ with ‘lovely lemony acidity’ and a ‘long mineral finish’. Some noted touches of ‘cotton candy’ and ‘exotic fruits’, though a few found the residual sugar distracting or the wine lacking depth. Nonetheless, judges praised its ‘refreshing acidity’ and food-friendly nature, calling it a strong option for ‘group dining’ or serving ‘by the glass’. |
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