RAISE A GLASS

Another month, another hashtag. I can’t remember if it’s Stoptober or Sobertober (did I make that one up?)

If you’re taking on a health challenge in October then my sincerest best wishes, and best of luck to you. I’m afraid I’ve got the backbone of a jellyfish and not much willpower. But I can give you a guiding hand on the sober October...

Cornwall’s High Point Drinks has launched, it says, the world’s first premium non-alcoholic fermented aperitif High Point Ruby. A sister sip is the digestif High Point Amber.

For your benefit, I sipped the High Point Ruby (£19.99, 70cl bottle, online at High Point Drinks and Amazon).

I’m told Cornish spring water, tea leaves and other botanicals from the Cornish countryside have been blended and then fermented.

High Point’s vision – through its founder Eddie Lofthouse – is “to take a stand for flavour and to become famous for making exceptional non-alcoholic fermented drinks”.

A simple serving suggestion for the ruby is to combine one part High point and four parts tonic water with a slice of pink grapefruit. It has a kick of aromas similar to the dry, herby, savoury nose of an Italian aperitivo. A bitterness and spice runs through on the palate. I can definitely see it pairing really well with a slice of grapefruit as a pre-dinner sip.

But ah, no stop-tobering for me! Here are two sauvignon blancs from two different continents.

From South Africa: Bruce

Jack Sauvignon Blanc is this week reduced to £5.75 at

Asda until December 12.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Bruce Jack range. They’re decent wines and not difficult to enjoy. This Savvie B is created from grapes grown in different areas, and a “secret” ingredient is that 10% of the blend is from Elim on the southern tip of Africa.

The grapes grow in the freshness of coastal air and produce some good quality sauvignon blanc wines.

From Marlborough, New Zealand comed The Doctors’ Sauvignon Blanc (RRP £11.95-£12.50, including Tesco, Booths, and Majestic).

The wine, surprisingly, is only 9.5% abv. The producer Forrest Wines has been committed to producing lower-alcohol wines in the Doctors’ range. Flavour isn’t lost, and that punchy, classic note of an NZ sauvignon blanc is still very much there and making a statement.

Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.