For white wine lovers, this year’s sampler leans mostly French, with the exception of one outstanding bianco from Alto Adige. We begin with Félix Meyer’s crisp and zesty Riesling: a stimulating bottle that could carry you from apéritif through the main course with ease. From Chablis, you’ll taste Henri Costal’s generous, yet brisk “Les Truffières” is a showstopper, hinting at tart tropical fruits and polished stone. From the Loire, Domaine Brégeon’s elevated Muscadet is aged on its fine lees in glass-lined tanks for almost two years, allowing for a slightly smoky, savory profile—truly mind-bending stuff! The Brunier family’s sunny blend of southern Rhône white varieties is luxurious with refreshing acidity—a wonderful match for grilled fish or roast poultry. From vineyards clinging to coastal bluffs above the Mediterranean, Clos Sainte Magdeleine’s 2024 Cassis brings to life the domaine’s privileged slopes. It offers the delicate scent of wild herbs and yellow flowers, unlocked by the Provençal sun. And finally, though the Loire Valley may be the epicenter of elegant, cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc, it is not the only place this grape can reach stunning heights. Dipoli’s “Voglar”, from grapes grown on the steep slopes of the Dolomites, is so distinctive that after one sip you’ll never look at Sauvignon Blanc the same way.