In recognition of its unprecedented growth over recent years and to honour the grape, Sauv Blanc Day encourages everyone to celebrate their love of SB and encourage others to crack open a bottle and try a drop.
In Australia, SB is the most popular varietal, accounting for 41 per cent of all white wine sales (Aztec Scan Data – MAT 11/01/15). Translating to “wild white” in France, SB offers a range of flavours, influenced by the climate the grape was grown in. However, what has given this wine its popularity, it its wonderful aromatics and tropical fruits, at great value.
Often named the “savalanche”, the rise of SB particularly in Australia, can be largely credited to the work New Zealand has done with the varietal. Originally the grape of Bordeaux, New Zealand’s climate and terroir has seen this varietal move home; having gone from producing hardly any sauvignon blanc, NZ now accounts for 70 per cent of SB wines in Australia.
Australia should not be forgotten though, where SB is also popping up and doing well, particularly across WA.
Here’s our pick of five sauv blancs to try today:
Matua Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014$19.99. Marlborough. 13.5%. S/cap.
Classic Marlborough savvy with all the tropical fruit notes you expect from this region. It’s crunchy with a little gooseberry and plenty of minerally acidity to sustain a long finish. Appealing mouth feel and texture adds another dimension to the standard kiwi savvy.
MILLBROOK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014$22. S/CAP. MARGARET RIVER. 12%.
This is a wonderful example of Margaret River sauvignon blanc. Such intensity and flavour expressed with finesse and control. There is a pristine purity that is largely the result of early picking to capture those beautiful fragrances and crisp flavours.
TERRE À TERRE SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013$40. S/CAP. WRATTONBULLY. 12%.
The use of oak and extended lees contact, including battonage, has contributed to a wine with texture and a deep complexity. Like the crisp fine acid, which sustains the very long, perfectly controlled finish. So much happening here you just have to take another sip.
Taltarni Fumé Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2012$23. S/cap. Pyrenees and Coal River Valley. 13.5%.
Tatarni sources this from vineyards in Tasmania and Victoria, and oh boy does it work a treat. The use of French oak has added another dimension here, with those spicy oak characters merging seamlessly and profoundly with intense grapefruit and citrusy passion fruit characters. Lovely fine wine, with intriguing complexity.
Wine By Brad 2014 Mantra Sauvignon Blanc$20. S/CAP. MARGARET RIVER. 12.5%.
This is a terrific example of what can be done with sauvignon blanc and a little thought. It’s been wild fermented and then aged in oak with some lees stirring; not for a long time, but enough to add texture and complete the palate perfectly. A wine with great short-term cellaring options.
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