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The results in full from The Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2021

Sauvignon Blanc may be known for its signature citrus and gooseberry flavours, but producers are bringing out many aspects of this popular grape, as we saw among the medallists in 2021’s Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters.

FOR A grape variety so well known for one style of wine – gooseberry-scented and citrus-tasting whites, Sauvignon Blanc offers remarkable stylistic diversity. Such a conclusion can be drawn after a day spent judging around 200 samples for the annual Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters, a competition taking in bottles from a broad sweep of nations, and wines subjected to different picking decisions and cellar techniques.

In particular, we tasted Sauvignons made using many different fermentation formats, from stainless steel tanks to egg-shaped concrete vessels, barriques and oak casks of varying sizes. We also assessed Sauvignons blended with other grapes, such as Riesling and Semillon, Muscat and Verdelho, and then there were the source areas, which in 2021 included France, New Zealand, the US, South Africa, Chile, Italy, Australia and Greece.

But what were the dominant styles? Well, it seems Sauvignon Blanc today seems to fall into five general categories.

The first is the green type, where fruit has either been picked early, or the climate is so cool, that the wine is light, acidic, with crunchy flavours, notably capsicum and raw bean, while gooseberry may be present too.

The second is the citric version, where grapefruit and lemon dominate, ensuring the wine is fresh, and light, but not unripe in character.

The third is a richer style, where the fruit flavours move towards peach and pear, passion fruit too, and the texture fills out to make the wine seem heavier, even when the acidity is high.

Then there’s a further version, a fine style of Sauvignon, where fresh citrus, nettle and orchard fruit mingle with other characters, from gun smoke to chalk and salt to offer something layered, interesting and moreish.

And finally, there’s the overtly barrel-influenced Sauvignon, where, if done well, riper characters from pear to pink grapefruit are married to toast and vanilla notes in a wine that’s layered, and a touch oilier than your usual linear style of white from this grape.

Nevertheless, there’s further variation still, and that comes from the fact that characters from these general stylistic classifications can be found all in the same wine, either due to different harvesting dates – with some grapes picked early, others late – or winemaking techniques, where a proportion of ferments might take place in oak, others in concrete, or stainless steel.

The result is that Sauvignon Blanc represents no single wine style and is a category of interest and variation – and that extends to quality differences too. So, for those who profess to being bored of Sauvignon, remember that this single grape is the basis of the great blancs of Bordeaux, as well as the light whites of Loire, along with the fumés of California, and pungent drops from Marlborough to Leyda, and the Western Cape.

And when it comes to finding the best examples, well, for this year, see the medalists below, and our highlights, by clicking here.

Unoaked 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Winery Name of wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Distell Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve
The Cape Mist Sauvignon Blanc
Durbanville South Africa 2019 Silver
Cono Sur Reserva Especial Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Elgin Vintners Cloud Haven Sauvignon Blanc Elgin South Africa 2021 Silver
SeeWines Colorito Sauvignon Blanc Black Sea Bulgaria 2020 Silver
De Bortoli Wines Sheep Shape Sauvignon Blanc Victoria & Riverina Australia 2021 Silver
Pradio Vineyards Pradio Sobaja Sauvignon Friuli DOC Friuli Venezia Giulia Italy 2020 Silver
Luis Felipe Edwards Veleros Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Yealands Wine Group Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Distell Nederburg Winemasters Sauvignon Blanc Stellenbosch South Africa 2021 Silver
Distell Durbanville Hills Signature Sauvignon Blanc Durbanville South Africa 2021 Silver
Invivo & Co Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough & Gisborne New Zealand 2021 Bronze
Accolade Wines Fish Hoek Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape South Africa 2021 Bronze
Emiliana Organic Vineyards Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Luis Felipe Edwards La Corriente Sauvignon Blanc Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Luis Felipe Edwards Echo Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
De Bortoli Wines DB Winemakers Selection Sauvignon Blanc Riverina Australia 2021 Bronze
Luis Felipe Edwards Extra Special Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Luis Felipe Edwards Ocho Millas Sauvignon Blanc Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Distell Limited Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve
The Cape Mist Sauvignon Blanc
Durbanville South Africa 2020 Bronze
Cono Sur Bicicleta Sauvignon Blanc Central Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Cono Sur Organic Sauvignon Blanc Chile Chile 2021 Bronze
£10-£15
Marisco Vineyards The Kings Series Favour Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Gold
Matahiwi Estate ME By Matahiwi Estate Sauvignon Blanc Wairarapa New Zealand 2021 Silver
Invivo & Co Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Emiliana Organic Vineyards Novas Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Silver
te Pa Family Vineyards te Pa Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Yealands Wine Group Babydoll Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Yealands Wine Group The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Stoneleigh Stoneleigh Organic Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Marisco Vineyards Leefield Station Sauvignon Blanc Waihopai Valley New Zealand 2021 Silver
te Pa Family Vineyards Montford Estate Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Viña Estampa Estampa Reserva Sauvignon Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Booster Wine Group Sileni Straits Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Waimea Waimea Sauvignon Blanc Nelson New Zealand 2021 Silver
Awatere River Awatere River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Wakefield/Taylors Wines Wakefield Taylors Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills Australia 2021 Silver
Viña Aresti Trisquel Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley Chile 2021 Silver
De Grendel Wines De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc Durbanville South Africa 2021 Bronze
Constellation Brands
New Zealand
Kim Crawford Marlbough Sauvingon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Bronze
Flagstone Winery Flagstone Free Run Sauvignon Blanc Cape South Coast South Africa 2020 Bronze
Cono Sur 20 Barrels Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Bronze
Marisco Vineyards The Ned Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Bronze
Castelfeder Sauvignon Raif South Tyrol Italy 2020 Bronze
Yealands Wine Group Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Bronze
Viña Aresti Espiritu de Chile Explorador Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
£15-£20
Nautilus Estate Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Master
Viña Estampa Estampa DelViento Colchagua Valley Chile 2018 Gold
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2020 Gold
Babich Wines Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Viña Estampa Estampa DelViento Colchagua Valley Chile 2020 Silver
Brancott Estate Letter Series B Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Rimapere Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Viña Estampa Estampa DelViento Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Brancott Estate Awatere Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Kleine Zalze Wines Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape South Africa 2020 Silver
Rimapere Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2020 Silver
Yealands Wine Group Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Bronze
£20-£30
Alpha Estate Alpha Sauvignon Blanc Florina Greece 2020 Gold
Nautilus Estate The Paper Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2020 Gold
Cantina Valle Isarco Aristos Sauvignon Alto Adige Italy 2020 Silver
Langlois Château Château de Fontaine-Audon Sancerre Loire Valley France 2020 Silver
Kleine Zalze Wines Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape South Africa 2019 Silver

Oaked 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Winery Name of wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Viña Valdivieso Valdivieso Winemaker Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile 2020 Bronze
De Bortoli Wines Deen Vat 2 Sauvignon Blanc Riverina Australia 2021 Bronze
£10-£15
Elgin Vintners Sauvignon Blanc Elgin South Africa 2021 Gold
Invivo & Co Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Viña Valdivieso Valdivieso Valley Selection Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley Chile 2020 Silver
De Bortoli Wines Windy Peak Sauvignon Blanc Riverina & King Valley Australia 2021 Silver
Viña Aromo Mewlen Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Maule Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Viña Aromo Cuatro Vientos Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Maule Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc California USA 2020 Silver
Viña Aromo Reserva Privada Sauvignon Blanc Maule Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Castelfeder Sauvignon Burgum Novum South Tyrol Italy 2017 Bronze
£15-£20
te Pa Family Vineyards te Pa Oke Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2019 Gold
Yedi Bilgeler Khilon Fume Blanc Agean Region Turkey 2020 Gold
Viña Morandé Morandé Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile 2020 Gold
Viña Valdivieso Valdivieso Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley Chile 2020 Silver
Smith & Sheth Cru Wairau Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Klein Constantia Estate Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape South Africa 2020 Silver
Matanzas Creek Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County USA 2020 Bronze
Fantinel The Sun Goddess Sauvignon Blanc Friuli Venezia Giulia Italy 2020 Bronze
£20-£30
Marisco Vineyards The Craft Series Pride & Glory Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2017 Master
Alpha Estate Ecosystem Fume Single Block Kaliva Florina Greece 2019 Gold
Marisco Vineyards The Craft Series Pride & Glory Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2020 Gold
Pyramid Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2019 Gold
Ktima Gerovassiliou Ktima Gerovassiliou Epanomi Greece 2020 Gold
La Roncaia Eclisse Friuli Venezia Giulia Italy 2020 Silver
Marisco Vineyards The Craft Series Pride & Glory Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2019 Silver
Alpha Estate Ecosystem Fume Single Block Kaliva Florina Greece 2020 Silver
Marisco Vineyards The Craft Series Pride & Glory Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2018 Silver
Klein Constantia Metis Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape South Africa 2018 Bronze

Unoaked Blend (minimum 50% Sauvignon Blanc)

Winery Name of wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Viña Concha y Toro Frontera Sauvignon Blanc Central Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Domaine du Grand Mayne Grand Mayne Sauvignon South West France 2020 Silver
Viña Concha y Toro Reservado Sauvignon Blanc Central Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Vistamar Vistamar Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Maule Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
£10-£15
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Howard Park Botham Series 77 Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Margaret River Australia 2021 Silver
Robert Mondavi
Private Selection
Sauvignon Blanc California USA 2020 Silver
Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Bronze
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon Plus North Canterbury New Zealand 2020 Bronze
£15-£20
Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon Plus North Canterbury New Zealand 2019 Gold

Oaked Blend (minimum 50% Sauvignon Blanc)

Winery Name of wine Region Country Vint. Medal
£10-£15
Distell Durbanville Hills The Tangram White Blend Durbanville South Africa 2018 Gold
Domaine du Grand Mayne Domaine du Grand Mayne South West France 2019 Gold
£15-£20
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc California USA 2020 Gold

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters provides a chance for your wines to star, whether they hail from the great vineyards of Europe or lesser-known winemaking areas of the world.

The 2021 competition was judged over one day in November at 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen in Chelsea, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding in their field received the ultimate accolade – the title of Sauvignon Blanc Master. This report features the medal winners only.

Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

Read more

The best Sauvignon Blancs of 2021

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