Where do the best white wines come from?
There are so many fantastic white wines to choose from all hand picked to suit different palates, foods and occasions. The good news is that each white wine has its own personality, and once you know what makes it special, picking the perfect bottle becomes much easier. Here’s our handy guide to the white wine on our drinks menu.
What makes one bottle of white wine taste differently to another?
Great question! There are many different types of white wine made indifferent ways, grown in different soils and climates, and which come from different grape varieties. Each combination produces a different flavour profile - some are light and zingy, others are rich and creamy; some taste of citrus fruits, whilst others taste of tropical fruits or even a hint of butter.
Where are the most famous white wine producing countries?
Italy, France, and New Zealand are among the top white wine producing countries due to their distinct climates and centuries-old wine-making traditions. But it really does come down to personal preference - if you like a specific grape, you may prefer wines fromGermany, Chile or even South Africa and the USA.
The Fox Excel white wine menu
We have six bottles of white wine on our menu, each one very different to another and carefully selected to offer a different taste experience. Here’s a short description of each bottle and a suggested food pairing from our menu.Want to know more? Ask our servers for a personal recommendation and more information.
Tell me about theVerdejo - what's that like?
Ah, Verdejo! This is a lovely Spanish white wine from La Mancha, and it's an absolute gem. It's zesty and refreshing with gorgeous lemon and lime flavours that really wake up your taste buds. It really tastes like Spain!
What should I pair it with? Verdejo is brilliant with seafood, especially prawns or grilled white fish thanks to the citrus taste. Enjoy a glass of LA VIVIENDA VERDEJO with fish and chips or prawn linguine - or anything made with garlic!
What about theSouth African Chenin Blanc?
South African Chenin Blanc is one of those wines that punches well above its weight. It's crisp, refreshing, and incredibly versatile. Our KLEINEZALZE CHENIN BLANC has aromas of ripe pineapple and guava that jump out of the glass.
What pairs well with Chenin Blanc? Chenin Blanc goes fantastically well with chicken dishes - such as our grilled chicken sandwich - and mild, creamy curries. It's also superb with fresh salads including our warm roasted sweet potato and beetroot salad.
What’s special about Chardonnay from Chile?
Chilean Chardonnay tends to be a bit richer and fuller-bodied than some other white wines. You'll find flavours of ripe tropical fruits and it often has a smooth buttery quality. We offer ERRAZURIZ CHARDONNAY from theCasablanca Valley in Chile. We handpicked this Chardonnay as it offers tropical aromas of pineapple and passion fruit, with a touch of toasty oak.
What should I eat with Chardonnay? Think richer dishes! Chardonnay loves anything creamy, or dishes such as ratatouille. It's excellent with our baked salmon with creamy dill and mustard sauce and works wonderfully with aSunday roast chicken.
What AboutItalian Pinot Grigio?
Pinot Grigio is probably one of the most popular white wines, for good reason! Pinot Grigio is crisp, and incredibly easy to drink. On our menu is a very popular BOTTEGA PINOT GRIGIO from Italy. It’s light and dry with floral and citrus notes.
What foods pair well with Pinot Grigio? This is your ultimate"safe choice" wine because it goes with so many things! It's perfect with one of our five pizza options, light fish dishes, and fresh salads. It's also lovely as an aperitif before your meal. If you're sharing lots of different small plates, Pinot Grigio is a smart choice.
Everyone talks about New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc - is it any good?
Marlborough New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is something special and it's incredibly distinctive with its zingy, vibrant character with crisp, refreshing notes. Taste our PETAL AND STEM SAUVIGNON BLANC for a refreshingly zesty and nicely balanced wine.
What should I pair it with? Sauvignon Blanc is absolutely brilliant with seafood - try our fish sandwich - and fresh salads. It’s also great with a mix of appetisers including bang bag cauliflower, pork meatballs, houmous, nachos, chicken poppers and chicken wings!
Also from Marlborough in NZ is the YEALANDS ESTATE SINGLE VINEYARD PGR. It’s a blend of Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling grapes. This wine is packed with ripe exotic fruits, white peach and orange blossom, with underlying citrus flavours and a touch of spice and ginger. Suitable for vegetarians, vegans and a gluten free diet, it also goes well with pretty much every dish on our menu!
I'm still unsure which one to pick - help!
Here's a simple way to decide: consider how rich is your dish?
Light, delicate dishes (salads, light fish, vegetables): Go for Verdejo, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc
Medium dishes (chicken, pork, creamy sauces): Chenin Blanc or Chardonnay are your best bets
Richer, more indulgent dishes (salmon, pastas and those with richer sauces): Choose Chardonnay
Or drink wine without food and see if you can identify all those wonderful flavours and aromas that we mention in our descriptions!.
Remember, there really are no wrong answers. The best white wine is always the one you enjoy drinking. So relax, trust your instincts, and say cheers to discovering a new favourite wonderful white wine!