Best Sauvignon Blanc Wine
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most widely planted varieties in the world, but actually originates from the Bordeaux region of France. If you’re after the best Sauvignon Blanc wine, here are some longstanding customer favourites we’d happily recommend again and again.
But first…where do the words ‘Sauvignon Blanc’ come from?
The French word ‘sauvage’ means ‘wild’, so think ‘wild white’ and there you have it. As with all grape varieties, the myriad of wine styles produced from them, depends on where in the world the grapes were grown, and the type of soils they were grown on. Add to this the variances in yield, harvest time and how the wine was made, and you can appreciate just how many versions of Sauvignon Blanc there are out there.
And what Sauvignon Blanc usually taste like?
Given that, there is usually a common thread to recognise. The primary fruit flavours for Sauvignon Blanc are citrus notes like lemon, lime, and grapefruit, along with green fruit flavors like apple and gooseberry. Herbaceous notes of fresh grass, nettles and bell pepper can also be present. Some regions, particularly those with warmer climates, may showcase tropical fruit flavors like passion fruit or pineapple.
Let’s start with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc…
The most successful locale for Sauvignon these days is undoubtedly the region of Marlborough in New Zealand, and over the last 20-25 years it’s become almost synonymous with this variety. Sauvignon Blanc does indeed thrive here on the dry gravels, producing bold and extravagantly fruity wines.
If you’re looking for some fabulous Marlborough/New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs to try, we’d definitely recommend these two from Walnut Block, starting with their Collectables Sauvignon Blanc, which has outstanding aromatics and fruit intensity.
£14.99
We also recommend their Nutcracker Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which has those typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc aromas of passionfruit, white grapefruit, grass and bell pepper flow into a palate that’s dry, crisp and fruity, with zingy lime and passionfruit at the finish.
£16.75
France…the home of Sauvy B
Sauvignon Blanc originates from France, and you can find some amazing Sauvignon Blanc wines from here too, with the Sancerre appellation being the most famous for this varietal. These wines are said to be more restrained in comparison to ones from NZ and have more pronounced mineral and herbal notes.
The Christian Dauny Sancerre Caillottes is an organic Sauvignon Blanc that’s been a customer favourite for a long time. This fully organic Sauvignon Blanc exhibits refreshingly clean, grassy grapefruit, gooseberry and apple, all complemented with just the right amount of acidity.
£21.00
Pouilly Fumé, Metetou Salon and Sauvignon de St Bris are other popular French Sauvignon hot spots, and we’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for any good organic examples coming through in the future. The Reuilly ‘Les Fossiles’ Sauvignon Blanc is another very solid example of Sauvignon Blanc from the eastern Loire. It is Sancerre-like, yet with all the minerality of a good Chablis.
£21.00
You’ll also find Sauvignon Blanc used in other areas of France, including Bordeaux (where it’s used in blends for ‘Bordeaux Blanc’ and also to make the famous dessert wine Sauternes), as well as the Languedoc and some other regions too.
Made from 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Sauvignon Gris, Chateau Couronneau’s Bordeaux Blanc is an excellent white Bordeaux with a good balance of citrus and sweet mango against a backdrop of flinty minerality.
£14.50
For something further south, and good value too, there’s also the Domaine de Petit Roubie Sauvignon Blanc, a bright and refreshing Languedoc white with plenty of Sauvy B flavour.
£12.50
If you like sweeter wines, then you need to try a Sauternes as well. Just new to us is the Petit Guiraud Sauternes from Château Guiraud. Made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, it’s a fresh, modern take on the classic Sauternes style at a more approachable price point too.
£21.00
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
Another big success story for the variety has been Chile, particularly those places that benefit from cooling ocean breezes like Casablanca. Try the popular Adobe Sauvignon Blanc, a great-value Sauvignon that’s made in a bright citrussy style balanced by a note of minerality with super persistence.
£10.75
For something a little different, we also recommend the Animalia Orange Sauvignon Blanc, a unique orange wine made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
£14.25
Spanish Sauvignon Blanc
Spain is another country that’s gotten more into Sauvignon Blanc lately. With its fresh and zesty flavours, the Wild Thing Sauvignon Blanc is one of our top selling Sauvigon Blancs all around, and a donation from every bottle sold is made to the Born Free Foundation.
£10.75
We hope this list of the best Sauvignon Blancs out there has been helpful. All of these Sauvignon Blanc wines are also organic, which means you can sip knowing you’re doing some good for the planet too! 🌍
We also have a Mixed Sauvignon Blanc Case that’s a great introduction to organic Sauvignon Blanc wines – a cheers to thinking & drinking organic and we hope you enjoy 🥂
