Discover the top 21 white wines of 2023 from the New World Wine Awards. Best Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris & more. Affordable and delicious - just in time for summer.
We’re truly spoiled for choice in New Zealand with the incredible range of white wines we have on offer. From light and aromatic, to crisp and zingy, or the rich, creamy and robust.
Our guide to the best New Zealand white wines has something for everyone. Better still, they are all gold medal-winners and under $25 per bottle.
3 best New Zealand aromatic wines
Mud House Single Vineyard Riesling 2022
Variety: Aromatics
Region: North Canterbury
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Champion Aromatic, zesty with juicy stone fruit and lime.
Seifried Nelson Gewürztraminer 2023
Variety: Aromatics
Region: Nelson, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Exquisite Nelson example with aromas of lychee, ginger and rose.
The Crater Rim Waipara Riesling 2018
Variety: Aromatics
Region: North Canterbury, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Flavoursome Riesling with stone fruit, mandarin, honey and spice.
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6 best New Zealand Chardonnay
Pair our top Chardonnays with these food pairings:
Chardonnay comes in many shapes and sizes. With a lighter style, try fresh seafoods and soft brie or camembert cheese – it’s also fabulous with crunchy salads, such as Caesar or Waldorf.
If you love the richer, more powerful Chardonnays, try roast salmon with soy glaze, seafood chowder, carbonara or roast chicken. Cashew butter curry and baked fish with creamy lemon sauce are also amazing with buttery Chardonnays.
Ara Single Estate Chardonnay 2022
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Stylish and silky with bright citrus and great energy.
Beresford Classic Chardonnay 2022
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Australia
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Full-bodied Chardonnay with classy oak and a fresh finish.
Caythorpe Family Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2021
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Classic and beautifully balanced, a food-friendly Chardonnay.
Mission Estate Hawke's Bay 2022 Reserve Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Classy and concentrated with nectarine mandarin and subtle spice.
Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Chardonnay 2022
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Generous and approachable with toasty oak, lemon and brioche.
The Hunting Lodge Expressions Chardonnay 2022
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Mid-weight and compelling with floral, citrus notes and textural beauty.
Related article:
6 best New Zealand Pinot Gris wines of 2023
Try 2023’s top Pinot Gris with these food pairings:
Pinot Gris is a gorgeous all-rounder when it comes to its ability to pair with such a variety of food styles. Excellent with picnic nibbles, spring rolls and dumplings, it’s also flavoursome enough to complement chicken soup, coconut-based curries and stir-fries.
Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Pristine and aromatic with Asian pear, citrus peel and Gala apple notes.
Brancott Estate East Coast Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Regional Blend
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Top Pinot Gris showing juicy pear flavours with a refreshing finish.
Misty Cove Estate Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Fruit forward and immediately likable, making it delightfully appealing.
Mount Riley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Finely textured and fruity, it’s friendly and supple with tasty flavours.
SOHO Ziggy Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Elegantly fruity Pinot Gris with a hint of spice - an ideal aperitif.
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: North Canterbury, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Generously delicious, well suited to partner mildly spicy dishes.
Related article:
6 best New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs
Enjoy one of our best Sauvignon Blanc wines with these food pairings:
With its punchy and upfront flavours with zesty mouthfeel, Sauvignon loves seafood of all kinds, especially mussel fritters, sashimi, smoked salmon and barbeque prawns. The wine can also handle mild spicy food with ease, such as Thai yellow and green curries. The classic Caprese salad of tomato, basil and mozzarella is a must-try with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Anchorage Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Nelson, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: A superstar Sauvignon, it’s punchy and deliciously tasty.
Esk Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Crowd-pleasing, filled with classic crunchy apple and feijoa flavours.
Giesen Uncharted Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Upfront and intense, a great seafood partner.
Massey Dacta Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Nelson, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: With juicy lemons and fresh herbs, it’s vibrant and zesty.
Montford Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Style: Dry White Wine
Price: Under $25
Key notes: Packed with passionfruit, nectarine and grapefruit flavours.
Triplebank Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $25
Key notes: With passionfruit and pineapple notes upfront, it’s vigorous and cheerful.
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Explore New Zealand’s best white wines
Want to find more award-winning wines for under $25 a bottle? Take a look at our pick of the best New Zealand wines of 2023. Or, use our wine finder tool to search for a wine that takes your fancy.
Ready to try some award-winning New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc? All of our Gold medal-winners are available online now from your local New World.
Related articles:
Guide to Aromatic Wines
Chardonnay Wine Guide
Sauvignon Blanc Wine Guide
Riesling Wine Guide
Pinot Gris Wine Guide
Best New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs
Best New Zealand red wines
5 of the best Pinot Noirs of 2023
Best New Zealand wines for under $20
Jim Harre - about the author
After studying viticulture and winemaking at Hawkes Bay’s Eastern Institute of Technology, Jim worked several vintages, both in New Zealand and Internationally as a winemaker.
Identified as having a very good palate for quality assessment of wine, Jim has been a major part of New Zealand’s Wine Judging competitions for over 25 years. Now a well respected International
Judge, he works as a Chair of Judges in Wine Competitions in USA, Japan, China, Australia and, of course, New Zealand.
He is also regarded as a world authority on the effect of how wine perception changes in aircraft, a panel chair at the world’s largest competition; the International Wine Challenge, held each year in London; as well as Wine Consultant to Air New Zealand.
It is Jim’s love of education and teaching people about wine that makes him one of New Zealand’s most recognised Wine professionals.