Herbaceous white wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Roditis and more

Here’s a global selection of herbaceous whites, listed by region. Enjoy them while they’re young.

2007 Drylands Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc: This New Zealand Sauvignon leads with exotic scents of dill, artichoke, passion fruit and lime. On the palate it’s surprisingly rich, with juicy apple fruit accented by celery leaf. Widely available, about $15.

2007 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc: Classic Marlborough, New Zealand, scents of lime-leaf, scallion, passion fruit and gooseberry. Palate is fruity, with a nice herbal tinge of fennel and brisk gooseberry and apple flavors. Widely available, about $15.

2006 Leeuwin Estate Margaret River “Siblings”: From Western Australia, this blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc has that classic cut-grass scent from the Sauvignon Blanc. Palate is fresh and sweet, and much broader than a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (that’s the Semillon’s contribution) with good steely tartness to the finish. At K&L Wine Merchants, Hollywood, (323) 464-9463, www.klwines.com; about $18.

2007 Der Pollerhof Niederösterreich Grüner Veltliner: Exuberant, youthful juice, this Grüner from a reliable Austrian producer leads with scents of green pea, earth and citrus. The flavors are of apple and lime, very racy, with a top note of chive. A lot of wine (a liter!) for the money. At Woodland Hills Wine Co. in Woodland Hills, (818) 222-1111, www.whwc.com; about $10.

2006 Petra Florina Kir-Yianni Roditis: This charming wine from northeast Greece is made from Roditis, the grape most often used in resin-scented Retsina. It fascinates with aromas of chive, pine and lemon zest. The flavors are savory, fresh and bright, with an almost pine-sap oily texture, and a slight bitter-almond finish. At Woodland Hills Wine Co. and K&L Wine Merchants; about $13.

2006 Niedrist Südtirol Terlaner Sauvignon: The Alpine aromas of this Sauvignon from the Südtirol region of northeastern Italy are vivid: spring wheat, pea sprouts, cut grass and parsley. The flavors are rich and leesy, with notes of sourdough, wheat grass and pear. A brisk acidity holds the wine firm. At Hi-Time Wine Cellars, Costa Mesa, (949) 650-8463, www.hitimewine.net; and the Wine House in West Los Angeles, (310) 479-3731, www.winehouse.com; about $32.

2006 Primosic Vipava Slovenian Vitovska: From an indigenous Slovenian variety similar to Garganega, the grape used in Italian Soave, this wine shows a cool, brisk scent marked by lime leaf and a bit of sage. The flavor is pear with a brisk herbal top note that persists into the finish. At the Wine House; about $13.

2006 Vietti Roero Arneis: From Italy’s Piedmont region this wine from Vietti leads with ethereal apple and leafy scents with a whiff of minerals. Its flavors are deep golden apple, buoyed by a fine, talc-like minerality; and a leafy, green finish. At Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454, www.winex.com; Du Vin Wine & Spirits, West Hollywood, (310) 855-1161, www.du-vin.net; Manhattan Fine Wines; in Manhattan Beach, (310) 374- 3454, www.manhattanfinewines.com, about $22.

2006 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis: Scents of green almonds and pear marked by a salty mineral note. The palate is juicy but not too rich, the pear flavors giving way to a slightly grassy flavor that finishes with a mild, piquant bitter almond. Available at Du Vin Wine & Spirits and the Wine House; about $27.

2006 Cambiata Monterey County Albariño: This vibrant wine gives off an initial scent of parsley or celery leaves deepening to bay laurel. On the palate, pear and ripe apple flavors, are accented by a brisk minerality. At John & Pete’s Fine Wines & Spirits in West Hollywood, (310) 657-3080, www.johnandpetes.com; and K&L Wine Merchants; about $18.

-- Patrick Comiskey