Yes, I know, summer’s over, and so are those little glasses of ice-cold white wine by the pool… But if you’re feeling a little nostalgic for the (little) good weather we’ve had over the last few months, you’ll be delighted to read this article!

At the risk of disappointing some, it’s quite complicated to define the “best” white wines in our beloved country. However, for each region, we can establish which estates or crus produce some of the most emblematic and renowned white wines. Be careful, it’ll make you thirsty!

Château d’Yquem, the Sauternes behemoth (Bordeaux)

Over 400 years old, Château d’Yquem is now considered one of the world’s finest white wines, and the estate has been listed as a historic monument since 2003. Château d’Yquem is the only 1er Cru Supérieur in the 1855 Bordeaux Left Bank white wine classification.

A true Sauternes (Bordeaux) legend, Yquem wines are recognized by their elegant, syrupy consistency. Candied and yellow fruits, citrus, exotic fruits, zest, brioche… so many aromas can be found in the different cuvées of Château d’Yquem (as well as the “Y” cuvées), making it the “Rolls Royce” of white wines.

Obtained thanks to the presence of the Botrytis Cinerea fungus, which produces a noble rot, and thanks to meticulous harvesting, each cuvée presents characteristics as noble as they are unique.

La Coulée de Serrant at the head of Savennières (Loire)

Celebrated by Louis XI and Louis XIV as one of their favorite wines, Coulée de Serrant, a small 15-hectare vineyard planted with a single Chenin grape variety in 1130, is one of the emblems of the Saponar terroir in the Loire.

The vineyard has three cuvées, including a monopole appellation “Coulée de Serrant”, all of which are biodynamically farmed. The grapes are harvested by hand and ploughed by horse because of the steepness of the slopes.

The wines produced are jewels of the Saponian terroir, distinguished by their balance and power. Fresh and mineral, they reveal supple, elegant materials, with a long finish that testifies to a fine tension and an assertive build. These wines cover an entire page of history, without losing a drop of freshness!

The Trimbach house, queen of the North-East (Alsace)

Since 1626, Trimbach has been nurturing its passion for Alsace’s terroir and the rigors of excellence. The estate covers 50 hectares spread over more than 50 parcels and 9 villages, including Bergheim, Ribeauvillé and Hunawihr.

Committed to reasoned and vigilant agriculture, each of the twelve generations has followed the idea that nature should above all be accompanied and listened to, rather than forced to produce a set quantity of grapes.

This rigorous approach to work, both in the vineyards and in the cellar, has given rise to the “Trimbach style”, a well-balanced style much appreciated in local gastronomy and throughout the world.

Among the estate’s most distinguished cuvées, you will find the Clos Ste Hune”Riesling , the “Vendanges Tardivesand the “Sélections de Grains Nobles.

Château Rayas, the master of white Rhône wines (Rhône Valley)

A true legend in the Rhone Valley, Château Rayas is one of those estates that amazes at the mere mention of its name. A small 10-hectare vineyard buried in the woods, its terroir is characterized by very sandy, poor soils that give the wines all their finesse.

A part of history since it was founded by Albert Reynaud in 1880, Château Rayas is today lavishly maintained by Emmanuel Rayas, who has given it the prestigious name “Le plus recherché des Châteauneuf-du-Pape” (“The most sought-after Châteauneuf-du-Pape“).

The grape varieties are Grenache for red wines and Grenache Blanc and Clairette for white wines. The white wines produced by the château stand out for their extra-ordinary volume and smoothness, and can rightly be called “the most legendary Châteauneuf-du-Pape”.

Clos des Mouches, Burgundian elegance (Burgundy)

Burgundy undoubtedly boasts the largest number of the world’s most prestigious crus every year. So it was hard to focus on just one wine, but we chose to focus on the “Clos des Mouches”, a parcel of Beaune soil bought in 1921 by Marcel Drouhin (now the Joseph Drouhin estate).

Today, Beaune 1er cru Clos des Mouches blanc, vinified from 100% Chardonnay, is one of the most renowned and rare white wines in Burgundy. Characterized by great complexity both on the nose and palate, flowers, hazelnut and white pepper captivate your senses before giving way to a smoothness balanced by a hint of acidity and almost mentholated freshness.

This quality comes as no surprise when you consider that it emanates from Joseph Drouhin’s own production techniques.
“Natural answers to natural problems
is the motto of this biodynamic vineyard, which respects its terroir and its fruit.

Tempier Blanc, the must-have in Bandol (Provence)

Since the reign of Louis XV, the domaine has been cultivating vineyards in the heart of Provence under a different name. It wasn’t until 1834 that it was bought by the Tempier family. Situated in the heart of the Bandol AOC, the vineyard enjoys clay-limestone soils and produces wines typical of Provencal vineyards.

For white wines, the grape varieties are 60% Clairette, 30%Ugni Blanc, and a minority of Rolle, Bourboulenc and Marsanne. The average age of the vines is around 25/30 years, and they are matured for a relatively long time in tuns, giving the wines great complexity.

The wines produced display great freshness, which is rather surprising for a wine from a southern terroir, but can be explained by their location in the coolest, latest parcels of the vineyard.