White Wine

They might not have the burst of bubbles like a sparkling wine, but an impressive white wine can be the perfect graduation wine, too. Here are a few options to get you started.

1. Sancerre

Sauvignon Blanc is the world’s most popular refreshing, light-bodied white and, if you ask most wine lovers, the very finest come from the Sancerre region in France’s Loire Valley. Sancerre offers leap-from-the-glass aromas of lime, lemon, grapefruit, elderflower and fresh-cut grass, which often continue onto the palate with plenty of tongue-tingling freshness and a trademark minerality or “flinty” note. Most are best enjoyed fresh upon release, but the very highest quality examples can age for 10 years or more. As these elite Sancerre bottlings develop, the flavors evolve, taking on notes of truffle and smoke. Either way, Sancerre makes a fantastic gift if your grad loves light and crisp wines.

2. Napa Chardonnay

On the other hand, Napa Valley is a great place to start your search for the perfect graduation wine if the robed recipient likes their white wine rich and creamy. In Napa, it is common to ferment Chardonnay and age it in oak barrels, which softens the texture and can add buttery, creamy flavors to the wine. The very best examples balance these luscious notes with vibrant acidity and fruity notes of peach, pear or pineapple.

3. White Burgundy

White Burgundy is one of the world’s most sought-after wines, and for good reason—it combines elegance and complexity like few other wines can. Depending on the appellation within Burgundy, these white wines (the vast majority of which are 100% Chardonnay) can range from lean and mineral-driven like those from Chablis, to rich and rounded examples from Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. Many are ready to enjoy right away, but top-tier examples can age beautifully for a decade or more, gaining depth and nuance over time. For a graduate with a taste for fine wine, white Burgundy is an excellent choice.