On 7 May, International Sauvignon Blanc Day, we turn to Marlborough - home of what is undisputedly New Zealand’s most famous wine export, and one of Australia’s favourite imports.

Although Sauvignon Blanc is grown throughout the world, the province of Marlborough is its heartland.

Located on the South Island of New Zealand, its long and steady cool-climate growing season creates Sauvignons with impressive aromas, distinctive fruit characteristics and extraordinary purity and intensity of flavours.

Brett Fullerton, Winemaker at Constellation Brands, talks of the diversity of wine coming out of Marlborough and the global demand for the varietal. He says:

“New Zealand has been the leader in sustainable winemaking for years, so it’s no surprise we are focussing on innovation in other categories like low-alcohol, organic, vegan and different format styles for our customers and wine lovers to enjoy.

“We have seen unprecedented global demand for New Zealand wine, particularly Marlborough Sauvignon, over the past 12 months,” he said. “It’s great to see the appreciation the world has for our varietals.”

New Zealand is no stranger to innovations in wine. State of Light’s Sauvignon Blanc is 45 per cent lower in alcohol* and 35 per cent lower in calories*, making it the ideal drop for those wanting a glass of wine without worrying about tomorrow.

For the eco-conscious drinker, Round Theory’s Sauvignon Blanc is vegan friendly and sustainably sourced and grown. The best part being you can enjoy a bottle (or two) minus the guilt.

If the classic Marlborough Sauvignon flavours are more to your taste, try Kim Crawford or Crafters Union. Both are consistently aromatic and refreshing. One glass is not enough.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs worthy of sampling this May include:

Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Kim Crawford make one of Marlborough’s benchmark Sauvignon Blanc and has amassed international wine awards for years. This classic Marlborough Sauvignon has aromas of lifted citrus, tropical fruit and crushed herbs. On the palate it’s fresh, juicy with a vibrant acidity and plenty of weight and length. Ripe, tropical fruit sing through for this wine.  Food pairing: brilliant with seafood and fresh seasonal salads.  

State of Light Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

People are now looking for lighter options when it comes to their favourite wines and the team from State of Light have created a wine that’s lower in calorie and alcohol but doesn’t compromise on taste. The light and refreshing State of Light Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region has lifted aromatics, ripe tropical fruits with passionfruit, guava and a hint of citrus.  Food pairing: Antipasto Platter

Round Theory Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Consciously crafted from the ground up to have a positive impact on the plant, Round Theory is designed for wine lovers who want a more environmentally friendly choice. Round Theory is proudly climate positive and supports a number of programs within CarbonClick. The bottles are also crafted to be 30 per cent lighter and 35 per cent shorter in size. Round Theory’s Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough New Zealand encompasses tropical notes of guava and passionfruit and delivers a crisp and fresh palate with juicy acidity. Food pairing: Autumn Vegetable Soup

Crafters Union Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 

The Crafters Union are a group of winemakers keen to create something unique. They are passionate about creating wines that taste even more memorable than the bottle they come in.

Up front, it shows vibrant gooseberry and zesty citrus notes before delivering a pronounced palate bursting with tropical fruit and juicy acidity. Crisp and utterly delicious.  Food pairing: Chicken Pad Thai

A year-round favourite to pair with an array of food due to its unique complexity, raise a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc this May and experience the pure taste of New Zealand.

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