Sauvignon Blanc has been quite the rage on the world wine scene for quite some time now. It hasn?t replaced Chardonnay but carved a whole new aperitif-shaped niche for itself. Safe to say then that the winemakers of the world have wasted no time in crushing this berry for commercial or creative reasons. As a result, there is a lot of Sauvignon Blanc out there but not all is exactly the stuff that dreams and meals are made of. As for aromas of cat?s pee, I don?t know who finds them, where have they been living to be familiar with such smells and why do they consider it a good thing in a wine? Here then are ten savvy wines, a great way to beat the summer heat.
l Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte: I do admit that I belong to the school of thought that would preach the use of Semillon and Sauvignon in making Bordeaux white wines but the recent trend seems to suggest a definite shift in the mindsets for a mix of reasons. Sauv Blanc has begun becoming the preferred ingredient for Bordeaux Blanc and with a little oak ageing can produce some magical stuff, worthy of long-term cellaring. The most cherished of such for me remains the Smith-Haut-Lafitte although if I were to mention a second, it would definitely be the Chateau Carbonnieux from almost across the road and the more known Chateau Haut-Brion.
l Mollet Florian Sancerre Roc De L?abbaye: A haute-couture gem from France?s Loire Valley, this wine epitomises what a good and well-behaved grape this can be.
l Pascal Jolivet Pouilly Fum?: Quite the notorious character in the valley for his cars and prowess behind their wheels, his wines are equally racy and thrilling.
l New Zealand Marlborough Gravitas: A small house founded on the principles of the good life and all that it brings, the wines seamlessly embody this philosophy and deliver it on to the palate.
l Austrian Jaunegg Muri: Given the generally high standard of whites in this country, Austria is a very difficult proving ground for white winemakers. Nevertheless, the SB from this winemaker manages to stand out and make a lasting impression. This country is definitely at the helm of defining SB wines for times to come and winemakers like these and Zieregg will make all the difference.
l New Zealand Saint Clair: No list of savvies could be complete with this country finding due mention and among the many aggressive styles that exist, this one is a classical with all the fruit sans the sharp and jaw-crushing acidity. Another Marlborough star I can think of would be The Crossings, famous for their steely, minerally, fruity and very, very elegant bottled expression of this grape.
l Australian D?Arenberg ?The Broken Fishplate? Sauvignon Blanc: A modest wine but with enough purity of what we term classical varietal character to safely make this list.
l Chile Montes: This may not be a ready choice of country for many but up on the slopes of the northern valleys of the country, some great SB is made and Montes is definitely a forerunner for both the un-oaked and oaked versions of this grape.
l Fume Blanc Robert Mondavi Reserve: Credit has to be given to the late winemaker whose inventive and enterprising skills led to the creation of SB wines?a barrel-aged version of the wine that first shocked and then rocked the wine world. People loved the smoked notes that this wine exhibited and he lovingly christened it Fum? Blanc, inspired by the famed Pouilly-Fum? region.
l South Africa John Reyneke: This all-organic producer is quiet the maverick. Soft-spoken and reclusive, he lets his wines do the talking and I can?t think of better words to define his SB than ?unique? and ?enchanting?. Another winemaker who deserves mention is Altydgedacht: darned if I can pronounce or spell it; especially after two drinks but it?s the meaning that mesmerises??always thinking of you?. The wine is, for lack of technical jargon, very different. From aromas to tactile profile, the whole wine stands out and in a very dignified manner. Fat structure. Skin contact and small productions. They say green fig character, I say I don?t get around that much to really tell such exotic indulgences.
The writer is a sommelier