An Arctic blast of snow coming soon reminds us to stock up on some delicious white wines for the festive season. Here are some suggestions and tasting notes from Peter Morrell

Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay 2021

13% – Aconcagua Costa, Chile RRP £19 – Harvey Nichols, Oxford Wine Co

Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay is a delightful expression of cool-climate Chardonnay sourced from Chile’s coastal Aconcagua Valley. It features intense aromas of tropical fruits like pineapple and passion fruit, subtler notes of apple and pear, and a hint of vanilla spice

Esporão Reserva Organic White 2023

14% – Alentejo, Portugal RRP £20.70 | £25.20 per bottle – Bon Coeur Fine Wines, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Harrogate Fine Wine Company, Whalley Wine Shop

Fermented and matured in a combination of tanks and new American and French oak barriques for six months, this white is elegant and creamy on the palate with notes of peaches and nutmeg. It’s made from an organic blend of Antão Vaz, Arinto and Roupeiro grapes for a ripe-fruit flavour that’s bright, light and clean.

Joseph Mellot Touraine Chenonceaux Organic, 2023

14% – Loire, France RRP £18.99 Islington Wine Roberts & Speight And Campbells of Leyburn

Peter Morrell says ‘This is a powerful example of a classic French Sauvignon Blanc. The nose is bright and fresh with good green apple, gooseberry and grapefruit aromas. On the palate the fruity flavours continue with abundant citrus and passionfruit, together with floral notes. The mouthfeel is smooth with muted acidity and pleasing minerality. The finish is crisp and dry, with tastes of lime and melon. Drink this with a smoked salmon starter at Christmas.‘

Kleine Zalze Reserve Chardonnay 2023

13% – Western Cape, South Africa £9.50 – Tesco

An elegant but complex wine. Aromas of white peaches and citrus fruit perfectly balanced with subtle oak and slight minerality on the palate.

Kleine Zalze Heritage Selection Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2023

13% – Coastal Region, South Africa Specially blended and exclusive to Waitrose Cellar – £12.99

Peter Morrell comments ‘It puzzles me that the Chenin Blancs from South Africa are not more popular. The grape provides a highly enjoyable drinking experience with aromatic complexity. Try this beauty from SA’s Stellenbosch to discover this for yourself. The bouquet offers apple and grassy notes together with intriguing buttery aromas. The mouthfeel is creamy with lively citrus flavours, stone fruit, hints of honey and a background of tropical fruit. The minerality is good with well-balanced acidity, and the finish is strong and fruity. This is an ideal aperitif, and for people who don’t like red, it is a great companion for turkey.’

Villa Maria Reserve Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc

13% – Northern Bank of the Awatere River, New Zealand – £16.00 | ASDA

Lifted aromatics of fresh garden peas and blackcurrants mingled with herbs such as coriander. A key point of interest in this wine is the chalky texture reminiscent of wet river stones.

Zuccardi Q Chardonnay 2023

13.5% – Uco Valley, Argentina, £16.00 – Tesco

Sourced from carefully selected plots of vineyards in Mendoza’s most prestigious wine regions. A greenish yellow Chardonnay with citrus and fresh white fruit aromas. Elegant on the palate, with an outstanding freshness and vivacity crowned by a citrus finish.