The Best Aromatic Whites for 2022
12th August 2022
Aromatic? What does this mean in relation to white wine? We would say wines which show fresh and pure aromas and flavours of the grape (rather than being too influenced by ageing in oak or other winemaking techniques).
They tend to be from cool zones, often marine or high altitude sites, and with lowish to medium alcohol levels. Of course, Sauvignon Blanc is an aromatic variety but we've chosen some fascinating alternatives such as Riesling, Viognier and Pinot Gris for you to discover.
Here’s our hand-picked Best Aromatic Whites for 2022!
- Apaltagua, Riesling Reserva, Curicó Valley, 2019
- La Combe Saint-Paul, Viognier, IGP Pays d'Oc, 2021
- Las Colinas del Ebro, Garnatxa Blanca, Terra Alta, 2021
- Sax, Gruner Veltliner, Luftikus, Niederosterreich, 2020
- Château Barrejat, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Sec, 2020
- Cederberg, Chenin Blanc, Cederberg, 2021
- Château de la Liquière, Faugères, Amandiers Blanc, 2021
- Pasji Rep, Zelen, Vipavska Dolina, 2020
- Donnhoff, Riesling, Nahe, 2020
- Hoddles Creek, Pinot Gris, Yarra Valley, 2021
Apaltagua, Riesling Reserva, Curicó Valley, 2019
True, almost totally dry Riesling from cool coastal fruit at a fair price – grapefruit with a floral note. Now-2023
La Combe Saint-Paul, Viognier, IGP Pays d'Oc, 2021
As usual, this is more on the light, fresh, floral side of Viognier than more obviously weighty or over-ripe examples. Lime flower perfume. True fresh peach flavour, just a little appealing fat and a good dry finish. As charming as ever, a lovely aperitif. Now-2023
Las Colinas del Ebro, Garnatxa Blanca, Terra Alta, 2021
"I have a soft spot for this wine, or perhaps I should rephrase this. I have a brittle, ice-pick sharp spot for this wine in my mental vinous directory of flavour, and in 2021 it is, again, in piercingly pure form. With crunchy, green apple skin notes and a bitingly fresh, chalky and raspy finish, this is a thrilling ‘Grenache Blanc’ from the wilds of Terra Alta. Look no further if you fancy a dramatic, dry, invigorating wine with the same shape and size as a crisp Chablis but with a wilder and more untamed attitude. One final thought – the price tag here is insanely competitive for this skill level."
Matthew Jukes, 27th July 2022
100% organically farmed (and certified) white Grenache from clay/limestone vineyards about 500 metres up (Terra Alta = highlands) in Catalonia. Here the altitude brings cool nights, and a dry wind known as El Cierzo keeps the vines healthy. This has become one of our best-regarded sub £12 wines – and it would cost at least 50% more if it came from the Rhône. It’s such a useful all-rounder, light enough to enjoy on its own but also not so fruity that one can’t enjoy it with a wide range of fish and white meat dishes. Grapefruit scented with herbs - rosemary and bay leaf - with attractive texture and a distinct, lightly almondy finish. Now-2023
Sax, Gruner Veltliner, Luftikus, Niederosterreich, 2020
Correct, mildly vegetal scent of Grüner; a touch of spritz; and a nice vein of lemony acidity under the lentil and white pepper character. Dry and refreshing. Now - early 2023
Château Barrejat, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Sec, 2020
A little known - and hard to pronounce - but delicious Gros Manseng from the same area as Madiran, north of Pau. Pale gold. This delivers both weight and bracing freshness. Bright and tangy palate of apricot and pineapple. Open and exuberant, fruity yet crisp on the finish, this makes a lovely aperitif or an accompaniment to chicken. Drink this year
Cederberg, Chenin Blanc, Cederberg, 2021
Always our benchmark wine at this estate with vineyards at 3,000 feet of altitude in the midst of the Cederberg mountains: this is the 19th consecutive vintage we have shipped. Mouthwatering entry of tangerine, guava and passion fruit. As ever, zippy and exuberantly fruity but also finishes crisp and dry. Now-early 2023
Made by David Nieuwoudt, who took over the amazing Cederberg estate from his father in 1997. The vineyards here are the highest in the Cape, at 1100-1150 metres up in the Cederberg mountains. Good natural rainfall, around 550-600mm, cool temperatures (occasionally snow-showers in winter), with plenty of wind, mean that Cederberg enjoys a near-perfect climate, in particular a long ripening period. The whites are mountain-fresh, with plentiful natural acidity.
Not content with the efforts he has made at Cederberg - for example, the new plantings into the hard shale slopes - he has also bought land in windswept Elim in the far south of the country on slate and granitic soils. He has branded his wines from their Ghost Corner, the name sailors used to give to nearby Cape Agulhas, the most southerly point of Africa.
Château de la Liquière, Faugères, Amandiers Blanc, 2021
This is from a vineyard planted on some of their highest land about forty years ago; a blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino and Marsanne. Tasting this was an utter delight. Fragrant and aromatic, there were aromas of lemon verbena and peach on the nose. The palate was mineral and slightly layered. There was real intensity of fruit too. A superb wine. Now-2024
Pasji Rep, Zelen, Vipavska Dolina, 2020
Zelen used to be highly rated, the grape for the aristocracy in the Vipava Valley, but as it’s fragile and low-yielding, it’s now only grown in a few pockets there. This is given some skin contact, lots of lees stirring, malolactic fermentation, and a third goes into old, neutral barrels: it’s a brilliant natural wine. Pale gold. Mid-weight, lightly creamy; apricot-fruited, with a twist of orange peel; subtle herbal notes. Long and classy. Now-2023
Donnhoff, Riesling, Nahe, 2020
Crafted by the finest and most famous winemaker in the Nahe it’s a classic example with a touch of residual sugar in the Kabinett style. Low alcohol and very moreish. Floral, with fresh stone fruit and a subtle mineral note. This makes a perfect aperitif on summer evenings. Now-2025
Hoddles Creek, Pinot Gris, Yarra Valley, 2021
This proclaims “whole bunch fermented” on a band on the front label –and one can see that in the coppery tinge to this wine, which is as pink as many fashionably pale Provence rosés. The skins of ripe Pinot Gris grapes have a notably warm tone to them, so that colour leaches into the wine. In short, this is brilliant.
A floral scent with (and it may be auto-suggestion) a hint of wild strawberries; a full-bodied, fruit-laden palate encompassing green melon and red berries; lots of volume; and a very long finish. What more could one desire? Now-2024
Exclusive to Stone, Vine & Sun
We source our amazing wines from small independent winemakers and as such you’re unlikely to find them anywhere else in the UK.
Due to their exclusivity, these beautiful aromatic whites may sell out. If any of our Best Aromatic Whites for 2022 is out of stock, you can view our full range of delicious white wines on the website or you can get in touch with us & we’d be delighted to suggest some incredible alternatives for you to discover.
