White Wine

Whatever food’s on the table - or if you just fancy a glass on its own - you can’t go wrong if you choose from our huge range of white wines. We’ve got fruity Marlborough Sauvignon, creamy Australian Chardonnay, Italian Pinot Grigio and crisp Chablis - all carefully chosen for their great quality and flavour. We’re especially proud of our award-winning Truly Irresistible wines, which feature grape varieties from around the world.

The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Viognier

Made for us by the inexhaustible Jean-Claude Mas who has gained a deservedly high reputation for the impeccable quality of his wines. This buttery textured white is replete with hints of honey and peach; great with salads or simple fish dishes.

Co-op Truly Irresistible Explorer’s Sauvignon Blanc

In the words of winemaker Jeremy McKenzie, “Being a man from the land, I love having the ability to produce a tangible product that has provenance and can be enjoyed and remembered over good times.” Full of tropical fruit aromas we hope you enjoy this refreshing white too.

Q: At what temperature should white wine be served?

A: It really depends on the quality of the wine but as a general rule the finer the wine the warmer it should be served. An hour in the fridge is usually ample time to chill a wine; for more expensive whites it is advisable to take them from the fridge about 30 minutes before drinking.

Q: I like Sancerre but could you recommend slightly less expensive alternatives?

A: Sancerre is made in the Loire Valley using – although it often will not say as much on the label – Sauvignon Blanc grapes. New Zealand is a good hunting ground for grassy, gooseberry-laden Sauvignon as are other cooler climate wines from countries such as Chile – with Leyda Valley in particular making some exceptional Sauvignon Blanc at a price less painful on the wallet.

Q: Someone told me that Chablis is made from Chardonnay – is this true?

A: In a word: ‘yes’! Virtually all the wines in Chablis are made from the Chardonnay grape. Often Chardonnay is associated with New World wines (for example Australia or the US) which regularly exhibit the influence of oak. This can impart notes of vanilla, coconut or butter which then can become synonymous with the Chardonnay grape.