10 Best White Wines 2022 | UK Wine Specialist Reviewed

A creamy Chardonnay undergoes malolactic fermentation during its production. This process tempers the grape's acidity and imparts a smooth texture to the wine, which works well with a range of seafood. A crisper fresh Chablis works well with crab, or you can pair an oakier style Chardonnay with more meaty fish such as baked salmon.

Pinot Grigio is typically from the North of Italy, a universally popular lemony, linear, unoaked style of wine. It contains simple aromas, creating an easy-drinking, light, fruity wine. Its high and refreshing acidity helps cut through the creamy risotto and allows the food to speak for itself without overpowering the flavours in the dish.

Grown throughout Europe and the New World, famously in The Loire Valley, France and Malborough, New Zealand. It's well known for its peach, pineapple, passion fruit and grassy flavours, married with high acidity and an invigorating bite. 

Sauvignon Blanc provides an outstanding balance to sour cream and guacamole. The fruit-forward aromas enrich the flavours commonly found in Greek or Mexican foods.

Don't be afraid to try sweeter styles of white wine. Gone are the days of producers making cloying, sticky wines. Look for an off-dry style, often labelled Halbtrocken, to complement spicier foods and allow the flavours of the dish to sing. 

They pair particularly nicely with spicy pork belly and salty soy sauce-based dishes. Riesling is a high acidity grape keeping the residual sugar in perfect balance, with refreshing lime zest, stone fruit and honeyed notes.

A traditional variety from the North West of Spain, Albariño, was born to pair with seafood dishes, think paella, gambas, and bacalao. These dishes' salty, savoury notes are well-matched with fresh, approachable styles like Albariño. 

Albariño contains aromas of lemon peel and peach as well as a hint of salinity. Look for Vinho Verde from Portugal, popular, light yellow-green in colour; it's refreshing wine for a different take on this grape.

A small glass of white wine (175ml) contains approximately 159 calories, a large glass (250ml) 228 calories. Something to bear in mind when deciding what to imbibe in the evening. 

Consider turning a glass of Pinot Grigio into a spritzer for a longer drink by adding ice and soda. There are also many low and no alcohol options available in supermarkets, which helps keep the calorie content down.