Enjoy some big whites out in 2026

WHITE wine isn't especially fashionable.

- by Matt Nixson

There's no industry buzz as there has been around, for instance, rosé or English sparkling wines in recent years.But it remains a go-to favourite of so many wine lovers - no surprise given the breadth of grapes, styles and characteristics on offer from all over the world. One of my New Year's resolutions is to enjoy more whites so I thought I'd kick off 2026 with some suggestions.

There's a bit of a bias here towards South African wines, but the country has consistently punched above its weight and the Western Cape climate is ideal for the likes of pinot, chenin blanc (South Africa's most widely planted grape, making it the world's largest producer by a long way), sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. South Africa had a tough pandemic and the country is still suffering from the fallout of apartheid and also from political corruption and violence.