Joseph V Micalleif
Feb 14, 2024
The WSWA has announced the results of its 2025 Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition. Six white wines took top honors. Below is a brief description and tasting notes of the six top white wines.
Reva, Langhe, White Wine Blend, 13.5% ABV, 750 ml. $44
Reva is a premium wine brand from the Langhe region of Piedmont in northwestern Italy. The Langhe is renowned for its exceptional terroir, producing world-class wines, particularly Barolo and Barbaresco.
Reva represents a modern approach to winemaking: a carefully crafted blend of local Piedmontese Arneis and Moscato grapes alongside international varieties. The result is a versatile and aromatic white wine with a balance of fruit, acidity, and complexity, an excellent representation of Langhe’s ability to produce elegant and expressive white wines.
The nose features a fragrant bouquet of white flowers, including honeysuckle and jasmine, distinctive aromas of lemon and lime, and a hint of green apple. A delicate note of peach blossom and subtle herbaceous undertones add depth and complexity to the aroma.
The wine is fresh and crisp on the palate, with lively citrus flavors of lemon and grapefruit balanced by the more tropical notes of pineapple and melon. It has a smooth texture, a harmonious balance of fruit and acidity, and a touch of minerality that enhances its refreshing character. A hint of almond and herbal notes of sage contribute to the wine’s complexity.
The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering citrus and a slight saline edge that gives the wine a crisp, dry finish.
La Chiara, Gavi DOCG, 2023 13.5% ABV, 750 ml, $30
La Chiara is a family-run winery located in the Gavi region of Piedmont in northwestern Italy. The area is renowned for producing high-quality wines from the Cortese grape. The winery crafts wines reflecting the true essence of the Gavi terroir: a balance of freshness, minerality, and fruit character.
The 2023 vintage was a year of balanced weather conditions, allowing the Cortese grapes to ripen fully while retaining the fresh acidity that is a hallmark of Gavi wines. This wine is typically unoaked, preserving its clean, bright character while highlighting the mineral and citrusy notes of the Cortese grape.
The nose is fresh and vibrant, with aromas of lemon zest, green apple, and a hint of lime. There’s a subtle floral quality with notes of honeysuckle and white flowers, providing an aromatic complexity that complements the citrus fruit. A faint trace of minerality adds to the overall fresh and clean impression.
The Gavi is crisp and refreshing on the palate, with a lively acidity that balances the ripe fruit flavors of green apple, pear, and a touch of grapefruit. The wine’s texture is smooth and sleek, reflecting the terroir, with a light body, a gentle mineral edge, and subtle herbaceous notes of basil and thyme.
The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering citrus and mineral notes.
Simone Capecci 2023, Passerina, 12.5% ABV, 750 ml. $22
Simone Capecci is a well-regarded winemaker based in the Marche region of Italy, known for producing high-quality, aromatic white wines from indigenous grape varieties. Passerina is an ancient, aromatic grape variety indigenous to Marche that is widely used in white wine blends
The wine presents an aromatic nose of lemon zest and green apple, floral hints of jasmine and honeysuckle, and a subtle herbal note of sage.
It’s crisp and refreshing on the palate, with a vibrant acidity balanced by flavors of lime, green pear, and a touch of yellow peach. The wine’s medium body is supported by a smooth mouthfeel that emphasizes its minerality, characteristic of the Passerina grape. A delicate undercurrent of almonds and a slight saline note add complexity and depth to the overall experience.
The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering citrus flavors and a light, herbaceous note.
Lonely Cow New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, 2023, 12.5% ABV, 750 ml. $15
Lonely Cow produced expressive, high-quality wines that showcase New Zealand's Marlborough terroir's vibrant flavors and refreshing qualities.
New Zealand, particularly the Marlborough region, is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, a varietal that thrives on cool nights and sunny days. This allows the fruit to ripen slowly, preserving its natural acidity and fresh, aromatic characteristics. The result is wines with intense aromatics, bright acidity, and crisp, clean finishes.
The nose features lime, grapefruit, and lemon zest, with an underlying note of green apple and herbaceous aromas of fresh-cut grass, gooseberry, and a touch of tropical fruit.
The wine is crisp and refreshing, with zesty flavors of grapefruit, lime, green melon, and tropical fruit, with notes of kiwi and papaya. The acidity is bright and well-balanced, providing a lively mouthfeel that perfectly complements the fruit-forward profile. A slight mineral note adds an extra layer of depth.
Full article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2025/02/11/the-best-white-wines-according-to-the-wine-and-spirits-wholesalers-of-america/