Wines of the Year 2025 | White Box

This is Sauvignon Blanc at its finest - a wine that captures the power, precision, and elegance of Marlborough’s coastal terroir. Aromas of guava, passionfruit, and citrus leap from the glass, layered with a distinctive oyster shell minerality. Aged on its lees, this wine has a silky, creamy texture that adds depth and complexity, balancing its bright acidity and saline edge. The result? A class act—focused, structured, and deeply expressive, with a long, lingering finish that sets a benchmark for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Blank Canvas, founded by Master of Wine Sophie Parker-Thomson and winemaking consultant Matt Thomson, is all about single-vineyard precision and minimal intervention winemaking. The Holdaway Vineyard, farmed by the same family for generations, sits on the coastal fringe of the Wairau Valley, where deep alluvial silts and regenerative viticulture create a Sauvignon Blanc of exceptional balance and purity. Harvested at night to preserve freshness, cool-fermented and aged on lees, this wine is a true expression of its site—refined, textural, and seriously sophisticated.

Vina Leirina is a bright, fresh white with layers of citrus, green apple and ripe stone fruit, balanced by a subtle saline edge. There is real energy on the palate, with Albarino bringing lift, Godello adding texture and Treixadura rounding everything out with gentle softness. This is a new wine we are very excited about, especially for anyone who loves Albarino and is keen to discover something just as vibrant but with added depth.

Vina Leirina comes from north west Spain, where Atlantic influence plays a huge role in shaping fresh, aromatic white wines. The blend of Albarino, Godello and Treixadura reflects the region’s focus on balance, freshness and food friendly styles. The vineyards benefit from cool coastal breezes and mixed soils that help retain natural acidity. It is a modern Spanish white that delivers clarity, character and serious drinkability, making it a brilliant addition to our Spanish wine range.

Assyrtiko The North is a strikingly fresh Greek white wine with vibrant lemon peel, green apple and a distinctive mineral edge that gives it real tension and precision. It is crisp, dry and beautifully structured, with a saline twist that makes it incredibly food friendly and refreshing. If you love Chablis or lean, citrus driven Sauvignon Blanc, this Assyrtiko offers that same clarity with a Mediterranean soul.

Produced in northern Greece, this expression of Assyrtiko shows how the grape thrives beyond its island origins, delivering freshness with clarity and depth. Assyrtiko is one of Greece’s most celebrated native varieties, prized for its natural acidity and ageing potential. The cooler northern conditions help preserve vibrant citrus character while allowing full flavour development. It is a confident, modern Greek white wine that balances elegance, structure and unmistakable regional identity.

Riff Pinot Grigio della Venezia, is one of the best Pinot Grigio we have tried in years. It is crisp, clean and refreshing, with pear, green apple and a subtle citrus edge keeping it bright and lively. Light on its feet with a dry, precise finish, it is all about freshness, fruit and juiciness. This is an easy going white that works beautifully on its own or with food.

Riff is a market leading producer for Pinot Grigio in Italy. It is produced in the north east of Italy, within the cool, alpine influenced region of Veneto. The vineyards benefit from mountain breezes and mineral rich soils, helping preserve natural acidity and purity of fruit. Pinot Grigio thrives here, producing wines that are clean, balanced and highly drinkable. Riff focuses on a modern, refined expression of the style, making it a reliable go to Italian white.

Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde is a bright, zesty Portuguese white wine that dances with citrus, green apple and a gentle floral lift. It is light in body yet beautifully focused, with mouthwatering acidity and a clean, refreshing finish that makes it incredibly easy to enjoy. If you love crisp, dry white wines like Pinot Grigio or light Sauvignon Blanc, this Vinho Verde is a brilliant choice for warm evenings and seafood suppers.

A 5 star Chardonnay from Burgundy, heaven. It is elegant and complex white Burgundy delivers pure, fresh fruit expression with a touch of richness. The palate is beautifully balanced, offering ripe apple, lemon, and a subtle hint of toasted almond, all wrapped in a silky texture. A lively acidity keeps it refreshing, leading to a long, persistent finish that lingers with minerality and finesse.

From the tiny village of Chassey-le-Camp, nestled between Santenay and Rully, Karl-Philippe Milan continues his family’s tradition of crafting expressive, fruit-forward wines with minimal intervention. Farming his 11-hectare estate under lutte raisonnée, he avoids excessive new oak, allowing the wine’s natural vibrancy and terroir-driven character to shine through. While Rully may not have the fame of Puligny or Chassagne, this wine is crafted with the same meticulous care—making it an exceptional find at a fraction of the price.