As most of you know by now, I love a good wine, white or red, it doesn’t matter to me!  I do not claim to be any type of expert on the subject, just an avid wine drinker and lover. Since we are nearing summer, and it is already HOT here in AZ, I wanted to bring you all a list of 10 white wines you should try, ranging from the really sweet side and then venturing into the slightly bolder, creamier and drier side, so that maybe those of you that do lean towards the sweeter wines might find a few on this list that will expand your wine horizons.

These are wines that I have tried and enjoyed, but don’t feel confined to just this list! There are so many delicious white wines out there to explore, plus tasting them is half the fun:)

 10 Of The Best White Wines You Should Try This Season

If you want a more detailed review of some of the wines on this list, click their link to be taken to my tasting notes and thoughts on each one. 

  1. Little Black Dress Pinot Grigio: I love the Little Black Dress brand as a whole. Their wines are almost always good and they have a great price tag at around $11. This wine in particular will definitely cater to those of you that like your wine sweet. It carries most notes of apple and pear, but isn’t sweet to the point it has a syrup-like consistency, as some extremely sweet wines can have. It is by far one of my favorite sweet whites. Another great one from this brand that leans more toward the tart notes while continuing to remain sweet is 2011 Little Black Dress Sauvignon Blanc. If you are trying to branch out from the really sweet whites (Riesling, Moscato), I would absolutely try one of these two!
  2. Cameron Hughes Wines Lot 549 Chardonnay: This Chardonnay is from Eola-Amity Hills, and it retails for around $15. Normally, the wine from the original label sells for around $40 or more. The tasting notes are heavy on the pineapple and lemon with a hint of sweetness, with a mineral finish. I don’t normally love a lot of oak in my Chard, so I was glad that this one was very light in that department. It very simple in that it doesn’t have layers upon layers of flavor, but it is well balanced. This wine tastes much better when it is served slightly chilled, but not extremely cold, like the Chardonnay above.
  3. Green Fin Pinot Grigio: If you are in the mood for a cheap, sweet, but tasty wine, this will satisfy all of the above! At a price of just under $4, you can’t really beat the quality of this Pinot Grigio. Another one that has plenty of green apple notes mixed in with a light honey flavor for the added sweetness, this is a great pick for a week night dinner when you just want a decent glass of sweet white. I have talked about this on my blog several times because it is a wine I really enjoy.
  4. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc: This smooth Sauvignon Blanc is one that many different palates will enjoy and it can be paired with food or just enjoyed on its own. With a smell of tangerines and citrus, this wine is perfect for those that love a little bit of tropical flavor in their wine. It has some pineapple notes along with more of the citrus flavor and is the perfect medium-bodied wine that isn’t too sweet or too tart. Not to mention, you can find it for under $10.
  5. Rodney Strong Estate Chardonnay: For someone like myself who is hard to please when it comes to Chardonnay’s, only because I am not the biggest fan, this one is one of the best I have had. At around $20, you get an extremely smooth, creamy and slightly crisp wine that smells slightly of a spicy vanilla, and carries flavor notes of apple, spices and a light minerality.
  6. 2014 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve California Chardonnay: This is one of the best selling Chardonnay’s in America, and for good reason. With notes of pear and lemon, this is a smooth and unique Chardonnay that gives the drinker a wonderful palette to enjoy. At around $15 a bottle, it would be perfect for a summer barbecue or an every day dinner wine. It is compatible with a variety of dishes, which makes it an even better choice this season. 
  7. 2014 Hogue Cellars Columbia Valley Riesling: For around $9 or less, this wine is a great choice. Accompanied by the traditional Riesling notes of apple and lime or citrus, this wine also has fresh peach and melon flavors. It is an off-dry style, meaning it just notably sweet and there are still some of the natural sugars left in the wine. This particular wine is sadly being discontinued soon, so I would grab it up while you can! 
  8. 2014 A to Z Wineworks Oregon Pinot Gris: I am from the PNW originally, so I had to add something from up there to my list. This wine carries notes of apple and a hint of lime citrus, which makes it bright but not overly sweet. You can find this wine for around $10. 
  9. Westmont Pinot Gris: This is one of the lighter Pinots from the list, but still equally as refreshing for the warmer months.  This wine is heavy on the citrus notes with accompanying notes of fresh stone fruit, giving it an interesting and bright flavor profile. At around $20, this is one of the more expensive on this list, but worth the price if you are looking for something slightly more upscale.
  10. White Girl “Family Time Is Hard” Pinot Grigio and White Girl Rosé: Honestly, these had to make it to the list solely because of the name. Come on… bring this to a family dinner and get a few good laughs out of it;) Plus, check out their website for even more amazing options like White Girl Rosé, which is super tasty and light! 

Head over to our wine page to find more wine reviews and recommendations for whites, reds, and everything in-between! I also have a full post on some of the best wines for spring, which of course can carry over into the summer months.

*Cheers to finding a little bit of joy in a glass of refreshing white wine*

joanna at motherhood and merlot