Grape of the Month: Sauvignon Blanc

This month, we’re celebrating International Sauvignon Blanc Day, which falls annually on the 3rd of May. But we think you need more than just one day to explore this popular grape, so we decided to dedicate the whole month to it, sharing interesting and fun facts and our favourite bottles to try.

How does Sauvignon Blanc taste?

Sauvignon Blanc is a fresh and zesty grape, with green aromas like freshly cut grass, green pepper, apple, pear, asparagus, gooseberry, and peas. In warmer climates, you’ll find tropical notes too, such as passion fruit, grapefruit, and even mango.

Sauvignon Blanc is known for its light body and racy acidity, making it an excellent match to fresh seafood and soft cheese, and green salads.

10 Fun Facts about Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is often associated with New Zealand but it actually originated in the Loire Valley, France. The first mention of the grape was in 1534.
The most notable areas for Sauvignon Blanc production in the Loire Valley are: Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Touraine, Quincy, Reuilly. The most popular expressions are found in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. The wines often have a mineral note due to the mineral soils. Pouilly-Fumé has a distinct ‘smoky’ note, too - 'Fumé' is French for 'smoke’.

Sauvignon Blanc is also grown in Bordeaux, where it’s blended with the grape Semillon. The wines are often made using ‘lees’ contact and oak barrels, bringing a richer, fuller body, with hints of stone fruit and honeysuckle.

Sauvignon Blanc is the parent of Cabernet Sauvignon - it’s why you may notice ‘green’ aromatics in both of the wines, as they both contain compounds called Methoxypyrazines.

Sauvignon Blanc likely got its name from the French word ‘Sauvage’, which means wild, as the vines are reminiscent of wild grapevines.
Riper, more exotic examples of Sauvignon Blanc come from New World climates, like New Zealand, Chile, Australia, and South Africa. The grape didn’t reach New Zealand until 1975 and was actually in South Africa before it was in New Zealand, with the first plantings dating back to 1880.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is hallmarked by its sharp acidity and vibrant fruit flavours of passion fruit and gooseberry, alongside classic freshly cut grapes and bell pepper. You can also find more vegetable aromas like tomato stalks!
In South Africa, the varying microclimates in the region produce a variety of different expressions of Sauvignon Blanc. In the cooler areas, like Constania, it’s very similar to that of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. In the warmer ward of Stellenbosch, it can be riper, with more exotic fruit flavours.
The best Chilean Sauvignon Blanc grows in Aconcagua, including the Casablanca, San Antonio, and Leyda Valleys. Wines from this region tend to have less of the ‘green’ characteristics and more tropical fruits.
In Australia, the best expressions of Sauvignon Blanc are found in Adelaide Hills and Margaret River. These areas are cooled by the ocean breeze, and wines often have zesty and green flavours alongside tropical fruits from passion fruit to guava and pineapple.

Some of our Favourites

The Ned 'Waihopai River' Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

Our bestselling white wine. Winemaker Brent Marris’ father was the first person to plant Sauvignon vines in Marlborough. Brent has had just as big an impact on Kiwi Sauvignon. He’s got a raft of awards to show for it, and that certainly reflects here. It’s the most refreshing thing you could pour into your glass. Full of gooseberry and grapefruit flavours, it’s grassy, tropical and seriously aromatic. Fantastic with Thai fishcakes. In 2022, this wine won an IWC award for the 2021 vintage.

Domaine Merlin Cherrier Sancerre Blanc, France

Winemaker-owner Thierry Merlin Cherrier spares no expense when it comes to crafting this Sancerre. Based in the subregion of Bué, this area is famed for growing some of the finest Sauvignon Blanc – its signature limestone and clay soils give the wine a fantastically crisp taste and mineral freshness. It's smooth and full-bodied with notes of citrus, green apple, white flowers and grass. Fresh and zingy flavours make this the perfect match for seafood and light salads.

Domaine André et Edmond Figeat ‘Melody’ Pouilly Fumé, France

Pouilly-Fumé is, to many, the finest expression of Sauvignon Blanc in France. It has a signature smokiness ('Fumé' is French for 'smoke) that's imitated the world over. But nothing beats the real thing. This one is made by one of the most experienced family wineries in the region. André Figeat and his daughter, Anne-Sophie, apply no-expense-spared winemaking practices to bring the ripest Pouilly-Fumé to your glass. Expect flavours of citrus, peach and grapefruit, gunflint aromas and a long finish. Thanks to lees-ageing, it has a textured complexity that's great with goat's cheese.

Rustenberg Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Murray Barlow is the only winemaker to win Young Winemaker of the Year twice at South Africa’s biggest wine-awards event, Diners Club. And he's excelled yet again with this Stellenbosch Sauvignon. The 2022 vintage was awarded 92 points by James Suckling and won a Gold Medal at the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon awards. It's fresh and crisp, with notes of melon, gooseberry, pineapple and passionfruit. Try it with Thai food.

Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc, Constantia, South Africa

Dating back to 1685, Klein Constania without a doubt produces some of South Africa's finest wines. It has a rich history and was even referenced in novels by Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. In the cool-climate foothills of the Constantiaberg mountain, Sauvignon Blanc grapes thrive. You can really taste the benefits in this complex, textured wine. Expect notes of citrus and stone fruits that are best with grilled seafood.

Beau Rivage Bordeaux Blanc, France

Beau Rivage means ‘beautiful shore’, in an ode to the rivers that have shaped soils that are rich in chalk and clay, intermingled with gravel and pebbles, resulting in the most distinctive wines. For this, winemaker Olivier Bergia blends Sémillon with Sauvignon Blanc to craft a fresh, aromatic and fruity white, which is then left unoaked to capture the grapes’ freshness. Expect notes of peach, elderflower and zesty grapefruit.

The Traitor White Blend, Central Valley Chile

The Viña Casa Solis winery is located in the Central Valley, the largest and most internationally renowned wine region in Chile. It stretches from the Maipo Valley, just outside the capital, Santiago, to the Maule Valley in the south. Given its vast size, the region includes a variety of climates and soil types, with each sub-region contributing unique characteristics to its wines. This fresh white is brimming with fresh aromas of lime and grapefruit, as well as flavours of ripe melon, peach and green apple. It makes the perfect accompaniment to fish, seafood, roast vegetables and Mediterranean salads.

The Oath Sauvignon Blanc, Central Ranges & Adelaide Hills, Australia

The Oath, crafted with over 100 years of winemaking heritage, guarantees excellence in every detail. For this range, our Australian buyer, Jonathan Tiffany, partnered with the iconic Chateau Tanunda, a Barossa estate with more than 130 years of winemaking tradition. Known for blending traditional techniques with modern innovation and minimal intervention, Chateau Tanunda allows the unique character of each vineyard to shine through. This Sauvignon highlights the freshness and elegance of some of Australia's most prized cool climate vineyards, with a wonderfully refreshing expression. Pair it with fish dishes or salad.