All the medallists from The Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2025

If Marlborough is Sauvignon Blanc’s heartland, this hugely popular grape variety is capable of excellence in an array of locations. Patricia Stefanowicz MW reports.

A SHINY, bright and crisp early autumnal day greeted us as we gathered to judge Sauvignon Blanc, often considered a simple, crowd-pleasing, spring-and-summer drink, but we were excited to prolong the freshness of summer days.

This year there were 113 wines to tickle our palates. As expected, New Zealand provided the most – around 45% – almost all of them from Marlborough, the region which is responsible for more than three-quarters of New Zealand’s wines. South Africa and Chile were also well represented. We had some wines from a number of other countries: Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Romania, Spain and Turkey in Europe; California, Australia and Argentina in the New World. New Zealand dominated the Master medals, taking home three of the five, with one Master going to South Africa. But Austria came top of the Sauvignon Blancs this year, bagging the Grand Master for Potzinger’s Ried Pössnitzberg Sauvignon Blanc from Steiermark. Gold medals were a little more varied, with 19 given in total to seven different countries. While Marlborough stood out with eight Golds, it was good to see the diversity to be found across that single region. South Africa, Australia, California, Chile and Greece were awarded two Gold medals each, and Italy one.

When considering price points, the quality of unoaked Sauvignon Blanc was variable at under £10, although Kaiora Bay (from Booster Wine Group) and Brancott Estate achieved well-earned Golds. The £10–£15 bracket did not wow the judges either. There were some good medals, even Golds, but there was a surprising number of wines that did not gain medals. These lesser wines seemed formulaic, and often just too ‘mean, lean, and green’, rather than enticing.

Above £15, the judges expected a step-up in quality, and mostly found it, but not always. When the wines had texture and layers of flavours, they showed well, but there were examples, even at higher price points, that were one-dimensional.

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ABSOLUTE DELIGHT

Where this judging day earnt its kudos was with the oaked Sauvignon Blancs. Admittedly, there were only a couple of these priced below £15, but both earned Silver medals. From £15, quality swiftly moved upwards, and the wines themselves were an absolute delight to judge. Golds and Silvers were legion, and three of the day’s Master medals were in the oaked category.

Speculation, perhaps, but it seems that winemakers are taking a much more careful approach to making these wines. The craftsmanship to create these integrated, balanced, layered and textured wines shines through in every sip.

The best wines in this tasting are worth searching out… and drinking. But, if there is a lesson to be learnt here, it is certainly to taste before you buy, or at least read what experienced tasters have to say.

Unoaked 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Unoaked 100% Sauvignon Blanc (continued)

Oaked 100% Sauvignon Blanc

White Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc Blend

Oaked Sauvignon Blanc Blend

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine. The 2025 competition was judged on 11 September at Brix 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 received the ultimate accolades – the titles of Sauvignon Blanc Master or Grand Master. This report features medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions, with a chance to appear in print and online, call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Aston at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com