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All the medal-winners from The Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters

While the heartlands of Sauvignon Blanc, such as New Zealand and Chile, were well represented in our competition, Siobhan Turner MW discovers a host of great offerings from other parts of the globe.

Sauvignon Blanc – herbal, citrusy, grassy, sometimes smoky – is perhaps not the wine one would think about tasting on a gloomy and chilly London day in early November as one mourns the daylight that seems to have suddenly disappeared with the changing of the clocks.

Besides, isn’t Sauvignon Blanc now just effectively the same thing, variations on gooseberry over and over? Thankfully, although nothing could be done about the Novemberishness, the wines themselves provided a joyous and varied treat.

Stylistically, we saw a range from the overt expressionism of full-on wines from Marlborough, and Casablanca, Chile, through to much more subtle Bordeauxesque expressions, and two lovely blends; one from Provence, the other from Rueda, where Sauvignon was fully integrated into a harmonious and pleasurable whole.

We tasted 146 wines over the course of the day, and while more than half were, as expected, from New Zealand (52) and Chile (32) combined, there were entries from 13 countries, and Golds or Masters awarded to eight. It was particularly encouraging to see that Indian wines received two Bronze medals. It was also a positive sign that there were very few faulty wines, probably helped by the preponderance of screwcap closures, but on the other hand, too many producers are still creating – and entering into competitions – dilute and dull liquids, with sugar being used to cover up a lack of interest on the palate. There’s not much more disappointing, in vinous terms at least, than expecting something special from the nose, only for everything to disappear the moment it’s in your mouth, and producers need to consider yields carefully if they want to make medal-winning wines. While there was a lovely Gold medallist from Rueda, Spain in particular needs to work harder to develop Sauvignon Blanc worth the alcohol units, as six of its eight entries did not win medals.

We were very pleased to find delights at every end of the price spectrum, and the Luis Felipe Edwards Echo Reserva, at £7.99, especially, is a masterclass in what inexpensive Sauvignon Blanc can and should be.

It is also particularly pleasing that both wines that were awarded Master medals are under £23. One, unsurprisingly, hails from Marlborough, and has a true sense of place and lovely elegance.

The other, to all of our astonishment, was from England – Gloucestershire to be precise. Engaging and utterly enjoyable, the Woodchester Valley was the wine of the tasting for me.

Unoaked 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vintage Medal
Under £10
Luis Felipe Edwards Echo Reserva Leyda Valley Chile 2022 Gold
Cono Sur Organic Sauvignon Blanc Chile Chile 2022 Silver
Brancott Estate Letter Series B Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
Invivo & Co Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
Luis Felipe Edwards LFE Gran Reserva Leyda Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Luis Felipe Edwards Veleros Gran Reserva Leyda Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Aldi Ireland Freemans Bay Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
Luis Felipe Edwards Ocho Millas Reserva Leyda Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Aldi Ireland Freemans Bay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Invivo & Co GN Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough & Gisborne New Zealand 2022 Bronze
Distell Cape Garden Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape South Africa 2021 Bronze
Cavit S.C. Mastri Vernacoli Trentino DOC Trentino Alto Adige Italy 2021 Bronze
Aldi Ireland Pierre Jaurant French Sauvignon Blanc France France 2022 Bronze
Invivo Graham Norton’s South African (Limited Release) Western Cape South Africa 2021 Bronze
Distell Zonnebloem Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape South Africa 2022 Bronze
Luis Felipe Edwards La Corriente Reserva Leyda Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
Viña Valdivieso Valdivieso Sauvignon Blanc Central Chile 2022 Bronze
Aya Estate Vineyards Colorito Sauvignon Blanc Struma Valley Bulgaria 2021 Bronze
De Bortoli Wines DB Winemakers Selection Riverina Australia 2021 Bronze
Distell Durbanville Hills Cool Climate Western Cape South Africa 2022 Bronze
Cono Sur Bicicleta Chile Chile 2022 Bronze
MontGras MontGras De Vine Central Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
Triplebank Triplebank Awatere Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Bronze
Viña Valdivieso Winemaker Reserva Casablanca Chile 2022 Bronze
£10-£15
Marisco Vineyards Leefield Station Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Gold
Felix Solis Avantis Pulpo Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Gold
Awatere River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
te Pa Family Vineyards Signature Series Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
Matahiwi Estate Sauvignon Blanc Wairarapa New Zealand 2022 Silver
Yealands Estate Winery Babydoll Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
Cono Sur Reserva Especial Casablanca Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Cavit S.C. Bottega Vinai Trentino DOC Trentino Alto Adige Italy 2021 Silver
Villa Maria Reserve Wairau Valley Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Viña Morandé Morandé Estate Reserve Casablanca Valley Chile 2022 Silver
De Grendel Wines Sauvignon Blanc Cape Town South Africa 2022 Silver
Mission Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
Yealands Estate Winery Single Vineyard Awatere Valley New Zealand 2022 Silver
Stoneleigh Wild Valley Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
Cantina La Vis Classici Trentino Italy 2021 Silver
te Pa Family Vineyards Pa Road Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
Felix Solis Avantis Pulpo Western Cape South Africa 2021 Silver
MontGras Amaral Leyda Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
Elgin Vintners Sauvignon blanc Elgin South Africa 2022 Silver
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
ACW Espíritu de Chile Explorador Leyda Chile 2021 Bronze
Constellation Brands NZ Kim Crawford Marlborough Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Bronze
Aigner Niederösterreich Sauvignon Blanc Niederösterreich Austria 2021 Bronze
MontGras MontGras Day One Leyda Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
Yealands Estate Winery Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Bronze
Domaine les Fumées Blanches Domaine les Fumées Blanches Côtes de Gascogne France 2021 Bronze
Felix Solis Avantis Southern Ocean Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Bronze
ACW Aresti Trisquel Gran Reserva Leyda Chile 2022 Bronze
te Pa Family Vineyards Montford Estate Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Bronze
Yealands Estate Winery The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Bronze
Viña Casa Silva Terroir de Familia Reserva Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
Seaglass Wine Co. Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc Central Coast USA 2021 Bronze
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Especial Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
Hacienda Araucano Humo Blanco Sauvignon Blanc Lolol Chile 2022 Bronze
Casas del Bosque Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile 2022 Bronze

Unoaked 100% Sauvignon Blanc continued

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vintage Medal
£15-£20
Sileni Estates Straits Grand Reserve Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2022 Gold
Sidewood Estate Sidewood Estate Adelaide Hills Australia 2022 Bronze
Warwick Professor Black Stellenbosch South Africa 2021 Silver
Viña Estampa Estampa DelViento Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Tokara Stellenbosch Tokara Reserve Collection Elgin Western Cape South Africa 2022 Silver
Mission Estate Glazebrook Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Bronze
Viña Casablanca Nimbus Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
te Pa Family Vineyards te Pa Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Gold
Yealands Estate Winery Single Block S1 Awatere Valley New Zealand 2021 Silver
te Pa Family Vineyards Reserve Collection Hillside Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Bronze
Casas del Bosque La Cantera Casablanca Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
Nuala Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Bronze
te Pa Family Vineyards Reserve Seaside Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Viña Morandé Morande Gran Reserva Casablanca Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Yealands Estate Winery Single Block L5 Awatere Valley New Zealand 2022 Gold
Viña Casa Silva Cool Coast Sauvignon Blanc Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Napa Cellars Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley USA 2021 Bronze
Colle Manora Mimosa Piedmont Italy 2021 Bronze
£20-£30
Woodchester Valley Sauvignon Blanc Gloucestershire UK 2021 Master
Rimapere Vineyards Rimapere Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Gold
Nautilus Estate Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Gold
Weixelbaum Niederösterreich Wahre Werte Niederösterreich Austria 2021 Silver
Cantina Valle Isarco Sauvignon Aristos Alto Adige Italy 2021 Silver
Rimapere Vineyards Rimapere Plot 101 Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Alpha Estate Alpha Estate Sauvignon Blanc Florina Greece 2021 Silver
Wakefield/Taylors Wines Jaraman Adelaide Hills Australia 2022 Silver
The Prisoner Wine Co Unshackled Sauvignon Blanc California USA 2021 Silver
Simi Simi Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County USA 2021 Silver
Langlois-Chateau Sancerre Château de Fontaine Audon Loire Valley France 2021 Bronze

 

Oaked 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vintage Medal
Under £10
Distell Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Cape Mist Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape South Africa 2021 Silver
Marqués de Cáceres MDC Sauvignon Blanc Rioja Spain 2021 Bronze
De Bortoli Wines Deen Vat 2 Sauvignon Blanc Riverina/King Valley Australia 2021 Bronze
£10-£15
Invivo & Co Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Bronze
De Bortoli Wines Windy Peak Sauvignon Blanc Riverina/King Valley Australia 2021 Bronze
Sula Vineyards The Source Sauvignon Blanc Reserve Nashik India 2021 Bronze
£15-£20
Viña Valdivieso Valdivieso Single Vineyard Casablanca Chile 2022 Gold
Constellation Brands NZ Kim Crawford Small Parcels Marlborough Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Gold
Church Road Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2019 Silver
The Coterie Spoke ‘Resolute’ Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Viña Valdivieso Valdivieso Valley Selection Casablanca Chile 2022 Silver
Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc California United States 2021 Bronze
Cantina Kurtatsch Sauvignon DOC Kofl Alto Adige Italy 2020 Bronze
£20-£30
Marisco Vineyards Pride & Glory Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Master
Attems Cicinis Friuli Venezia Giulia Italy 2020 Gold
Casas del Bosque Pequeñas Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile 2022 Gold
Nautilus Estate The Paper Nautilus Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Ktima Gerovassiliou Sauvignon Blanc Epanomi Greece 2021 Silver
Terre a Terre Down to Earth Wrattonbully Australia 2021 Silver
Alpha Estate Ecosystem Fume Single Block Kaliva Florina Greece 2021 Silver
£30-£50
Gladstone Vineyards Gladstone Sauvignon Blanc Wairarapa New Zealand 2021 Bronze
Nals Margreid Mantele Sauvignon Alto Adige Italy 2021 Bronze
£50-£70
Terre a Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Wrattonbully Australia 2021 Gold

Unoaked Blend (minimum 50% Sauvignon Blanc)

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vintage Medal
Under £10
Stoneleigh Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Gold
Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Silver
£10-£15
Mayor de Castilla Pata Negra Rueda Fauna Rueda Spain 2021 Gold
Marisco Vineyards The Ned Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2022 Bronze
The Woolshed Vineyard Mud House Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Bronze
£30-£50
Château Léoube Léoube Singulier Blanc Provence France 2021 Gold

 

Unoaked Blend (minimum 50% Sauvignon Blanc)

Company Wine Name Region Country Vintage Medal
£10-£15
Church Road Church Road McDonald Series Sauvignon Blanc Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2021 Gold
£15-£20
The Coterie Spoke Brink Sauvignon Semillon Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Bronze
£20-£30
Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve Sauvignon Blanc California USA 2021 Gold
La Roncaia Eclisse IGT Venezia Giulia Friuli Venezia Giulia Italy 2021 Silver

 

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.

The 2022 competition was judged on 2 November at Vinegar Yard, London, 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

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