6 White Wines You've Never Heard Of
Discover Grillo, Vermentino, Txakoli, and more.
We all have our favorite white wines. Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and other popular varietals are tried-and-true friends that never let us down. You know what to expect when you buy a bottle of these white wines, and you can relax with these familiar flavors.
However, sometimes you’ll want to try something different. There’s something amazing about tasting a new type of wine for the first time, especially if it turns out to be something that you love. You’ll wonder, “What is this fantastic new wine?” and you’ll love exploring the new varietal, its terroir, and all of its food pairings. Are you ready to try something new?
For your inspiration, we’ve collected 6 White Wines You’ve Never Heard Of. These gorgeous white wines are unique, charming, floral, citrusy, salty, rich, and everything in-between. You’re guaranteed to find something new to love here, and you’ll have a fantastic time browsing these types of white wine.
Unique White Wines
Grillo
Grillo (pronounced GREE-lo) is a Sicilian white wine that is full of character. This dry white wine comes in lighter and richer styles. Light wines show flavors of citrus and florals, while richer versions show apples and savory notes, with intriguing minerality and salinity.
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Try the Donnafugata SurSur Grillo 2015
Torrontés
Torrontés has recently become a summertime darling, with its affordable price and fruity flavors. This light and crisp white wine hails from Argentina, and it shows flavors of citrus, white florals, and tropical fruits.
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Try this Alta Vista Estate Torrontes 2014
Vermentino
If you like Sauvignon Blanc, then give Vermentino a try. This white wine grows mainly in France and Italy, and it can be found for a great value. Light-to-medium-bodied and crisp, this wine shows aromas and flavors of citrus leaf, green apple, and minerals.
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Try the Yalumba Y Series Vermentino 2014
Verdejo
If you love pairing white wine with food, then Verdejo is your new best friend. This Spanish white wine is phenomenal with foods as diverse as seafood, spicy Asian cuisine, and tapas dishes like bacalau (deep-fried cod) and torreznos (pan-fried pork). This wine has high acidity, fresh citrus flavors, and a streak of minerality.
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Try this Vetus Flor de Vetus Verdejo 2016
Txakoli or Txakolina
Txakoli (CHOCK-oh-lee) is a light and delicious white wine from Basque country, in Spain. This wine is the essence of summer. It’s fresh, light, and slightly fizzy, with tangy flavors of citrus and minerals. Enjoy this wine with your favorite fresh seafood.
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Try the Doniene Gorrondona Txakoli 2015
Etna Bianco
Etna Bianco is an Italian white wine that grows in the volcanic soils near Mt. Etna, Sicily. This wine is extraordinary with seafood, as it has vibrant acidity, fresh citrus flavors, and notes of salinity and minerality. If you love scallops or oysters, don’t skip out on this wine.
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Try the Planeta Etna Bianco 2015
Viognier
If you thought all of these white wines were light and crisp, think again! Viognier (VEE-ohn-yay) is a rich, full-bodied white wine that will remind you of Chardonnay. Grown all over the world, this varietal tastes fruity and lush, with notes of apricots, peaches, and flower petals.
What type of white wine do you want to try?