LOCAL HERO

Jo Cribb prepares for a significant day on the wine lovers calendar.

This Friday is International Sauvignon Blanc Day.

It should be a national holiday. Sauvy B accounts for more than 70% of the wine made in NZ and nearly 90% of what we export. It drives our $2 billion annual wine export earnings and creates thousands of jobs. It really is a national treasure.

But are we staying true to this Kiwi wonder? Are we tiring of a sauvignon tipple? Stats show that our wine consumption is falling so maybe we are reaching for that G&T instead or even a nice cuppa.

If that is you, I’m here to convince you it’s time to revisit sauvignon blanc. It’s come a long way from its paint-stripper, cat’s wee past. Here are three stunning reasons to pour yourself a sav.

First, you can now enjoy a glass of sauvignon blanc without the alcohol. As a highly aromatic grape variety, I think it keeps its flavour better than other varieties when the alcohol is removed. This makes for guilt-free tasty sipping.

Second, there is a sav for everyone. Sauvignon blanc is grown in most New Zealand wine regions. Each region creates wines with different flavour profiles. Those of us who like our wine tropical, packed full of passionfruit and guava, will likely enjoy SB from the warmer climes of Gisborne. Whereas Marlborough’s Awatere Valley is cooler and windier and its savs are crisp and fresh with a touch of minerality.

Third, sauvignon blanc goes with everything. Some producers are ageing it in oak to create richer, smoother styles. Others leave the SB grapes on the vine long into autumn to concentrate the sugars. Sauvignon blanc’s naturally high acidity works well with sugar to create delicious late harvest and dessert wine delights. Also don’t forget it’s impossible to beat sav’n’fish’n’chips.

So let’s raise a well-deserved toast to this local hero.

Giesen, 0% New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99

This is a glass full of zing, with crisp acidity, green apple, pineapple, with a sprinkling of lemon and lime. I happily poured myself another, feeling smug knowing that it’s not only low alcohol but easy on the calories too. Perfect for a Happy Sauvignon Blanc Day celebration.

RAPAURA SPRINGS, RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023, MARLBOROUGH, $20

From the heart of Marlborough, the very heart of sauvignon blanc country, this is a classy classic sav from a classy producer: Lemon, cut grass, green pepper, crisp pear, Granny Smith apples with a serving of passionfruit.

One can’t ask for more.

Cloudy Bay, Te Koko 2021, Marlborough, $65 – $72 (shop around)

On International Sauvignon Blanc Day, should you want to pay homage to greatness, look no further than Cloudy Bay’s Te Koko. Aged in French oak for 10 months, it is packed full of peaches, pears, preserved lemons, soft woodsmoke, toasted nuts and honey. This is next level posh as SB. Bound to impress.

// Jo Cribb owns a small vineyard in Martinborough and is a keen student of wine (yes, that does involve sitting exams and writing essays). She is on a mission to hunt out the best wines at the best prices and has no time for wine snobbery. Follow her adventures in wine @winesauvy