Food-friendly and zingy: The best sauvignon blanc wines
OUR expert raises a glass to the celebrated sauvignon blanc grape.
Try some new varieties of sauvignon blanc wines from our expert's selection
Could sauvignon blanc be the most famous white grape variety of all?
I guess chardonnay and pinot grigio might dispute this, but it’s certainly increased in popularity over recent years, partly because you know just what to expect from it – a dry, bright, fruity wine without any oak with a refreshing, clean quality, often accompanied by a hint of greenness.
To some, this makes sauvignon a bit boring. But there’s more to this variety than meets the eye and I’ve chosen some favourites, including a few that break the mould. From a food-friendly white from New Zealand to a zingy citrus wine from France, my selection is sure to tickle your taste buds.
From left:
Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand Around £7 (prices vary for offers) Asda, Tesco, Majestic, 13% alcohol
This is the original Marlborough sauvignon, which was called “Montana” back in the 1970s when it debuted. It is a great bottle just brimming with fresh, pure, linear citrus and passion fruit.
Mud House Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand £10.49 or £7.87 each if you buy two, Majestic, 13% alcohol
This is something of a benchmark Kiwi sauvignon with lively, fresh fruit to the fore, including grapefruit, lemons and pears. It’s crisp, dry and goes well with food.
Churton Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand £15.95, bbr.com (0800 280 2440), 13% alcohol
From Marlborough’s southern hills, this is a distinctively different sauvignon. It has a faint creamy edge to the broad pear and quince fruit with lots of texture. It’s almost structured with mineral notes and a pleasant purity.
Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2014, South Africa £11.95, bbr.com, 13% alcohol
This is a brilliant example of South African sauvignon at its very best, and this one has 4% semillon in the blend. Crisp, pure and linear with a tight personality, it has attractive citrus and grapefruit flavours with a hint of pear richness. It’s simply a delicious summertime tipple.
Pick your new favourite from our compilation
From left:
Matetic Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc 2014, San Antonio Valley, Chile £11.99, Majestic; £7.95, thewinesociety.com (01438 741177), 13.5% alcohol
From a cool coastal vineyard in Chile, this is a superb sauvignon with a chalky, mineral edge to the green-pepper, ripe-apple and grapefruit flavours. It’s very fresh with a nice density of flavour.
The Point Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Western Cape, South Africa £8, Sainsbury’s, 13.5% alcohol
Made by star South African winemaker Duncan Savage, this is minerally, taut and fresh with zesty, focused citrus fruit. It’s a tasty sauvignon with crisp acidity and some herby notes.
Château de Tracy Les Princes Ermites Pouilly- Fumé 2013 Loire, France £13.95, thewinesociety.com, 13% alcohol
Pouilly-fumé is a Loire Valley appellation famed for its sauvignon and this is lively, pure and aromatic with tasty citrus and pear fruit and a delicious, well-integrated green character with a hint of grapefruit.