Plantings of sauvignon blanc have expanded globally, with popular wines hailing from New Zealand, Chile and South Africa.Anneleven.com/iStockPhoto / Getty Images
While sauvignon blanc is often presented as having love-it-or-hate-it style, consumer affection for its zesty flavours has made it one of the standard offerings at the liquor store. Empowered by the continued success of the recognizable taste of expressions produced in Marlborough, New Zealand, plantings of sauvignon blanc have expanded around the world.
The popularity of examples from New Zealand as well as Chile, South Africa and local producers means it’s easy to find sauvignon blancs made in many parts of the world, except for bottles from the Loire Valley, which is considered the birthplace of the grape variety.
Wineries in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé continue to craft high quality-white wines, but rising prices and international demand limit their distribution in Canada. I’m equally fond of white wines from Bordeaux that feature sauvignon blanc in their blend. Good examples from France are featured wherever possible, but this week’s column focuses on uniquely pungent and fruit-forward wines made in other parts of the world.
There is always a wide selection of brands available year-round as well as limited-release labels to discover. Here are eight wines that I think are stylish and tasty sauvignon blancs offering different regional expressions and personalities.
Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (New Zealand), $16.95
Rating: 88
Brancott planted the first grape vines in New Zealand’s Marlborough region and released its first sauvignon blanc in 1979. Decades later, the winemaking style is dialled in to offer a focused and crisp wine with a core of bright citrus (grapefruit) flavours rounded out by tropical fruit (passionfruit). The sweet fruit aromas and balance make for a crowd-pleasing white. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 5 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Vegan friendly. Available at the above price in Ontario, $17.99 in British Columbia, $17.45 in Quebec, $20.30 in Nova Scotia.
Crama Regala Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Moldava), $9.55
Rating: 86
Vineyards in the southern part of Moldova are home to a mix of local varieties and international grapes, including the vines responsible for this pleasing white. A lighter-intensity style of sauvignon blanc, this reveals citrus and green apple flavours with a clean finish. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 4 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $9.75 in Quebec.
Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (New Zealand), $31.95
Rating: 93
The families responsible for Dog Point worked together at Marlborough’s celebrated Cloudy Bay winery before launching their own operation in 2004. Their winemaking approach is unusual by regional standards, choosing to harvest by hand (Marlborough sauvignon blanc is usually machine-harvested for speed and efficiency) and fermenting with naturally occurring yeasts present on the grapes and in the winery. That gentle approach contributes to the pure and vibrant style of the finished wine, which shows intense fruity aromas with ripe citrus and pear flavours carrying through to a fresh and stony finish that lingers. This has 13 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2033. Available at the above price in Ontario, $39.99 in British Columbia, $41.99 in Saskatchewan.
Leyda Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Chile), $14.95
Rating: 90
This winery planted the original vineyard in Leyda in 1998, contrary to the conventional wisdom that the region’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean was too cool to ripen grapes. Morning fogs and cool breezes help preserve the freshness in the wines, while sunny conditions later in the day boost ripeness. The reserve label is their introductory sauvignon blanc, which is made in a pure and fruity style that presents a piercing citrus character with just a hint of greenness. This has 13 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2026. Available at the above price in Ontario, $17.99 in British Columbia, $22.58 in Newfoundland.
Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (New Zealand), $18
Rating: 90
A blend of sauvignon blanc from multiple vineyards located throughout Marlborough, Mount Riley’s estate label checks all the boxes for regional expression. The mix of grassy and fruity aromas and zesty citrus and herbal flavours contribute to a racy and concentrated wine with a round texture and fresh finish. This has 13 per cent ABV and 4 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario, various prices in Alberta.
Rustenberg Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (South Africa), $18.95
Rating: 92
This is a compelling expression of sauvignon blanc from a family-owned South African estate established in 1682 in the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountain. The winemaking team selects hand-picked grapes for processing followed by fermentation (without added yeast) in oak barrels and six months aging on the lees for added richness. The result is a ripe and textural white with focused peach, melon and citrus notes. The oak is nicely integrated and contributes an appealing creamy character. This has 13.5 per cent and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available in Ontario.
Shelter Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (New Zealand), $16
Rating: 89
Produced by Jackson Estates, this pure and balanced sauvignon blanc delivers exuberant Marlborough character as part of its zesty style. Expect a mix of citrus, peach and pineapple fruit as part of a dry and medium-bodied white that’s fresh and approachable. This has 13 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Vegan. Available at the above price in Ontario, $20 in New Brunswick, $25 in Nova Scotia.
Trius Methode Cuvé Close (Canada), $19.95
Rating: 88
The Trius brand was established with traditional-method sparkling wine made in the manner of champagne. The Niagara winery’s range continues to expand with the introduction of this enjoyable tank-fermented sparkling wine closed with a screwcap instead of the expected cork and wire cage. Methode Cuvé Close refers to the process to make bubbly wine through fermentation in a reinforced stainless-steel tank. With a blend that’s based on sauvignon blanc, this presents a crowd-pleasing mix of peach, citrus and tropical fruit flavours with a gentle fizz. This has 12 per cent ABV and 11 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $18.99 direct, triuswines.com.
