Five to try

Cloudy Bay, Te Koko 2012 96 £ 26-£ 32.50 Hawkshead,

Hedonism, Inverarity Morton/

Forth Wines, NZ House of

Wine, Rodney Fletcher, Slurp Te Koko is less about Sauvignon Blanc fruit flavours (which are nevertheless evident) and more about texture and an array of nut, bran biscuit and spicy characters, thanks to wild yeast fermentation and lees stirring. Rich, smooth and mouthfilling. Drink 2016-2020 Alcohol 13.5%

Dog Point, Section 94, Southern Valleys 2013 96 £ 17.50-£ 21.50 Cape London, Carruthers

& Kent, Hennings, Lay & Wheeler, James

Nicholson, The Wine Society Subtle oak allows stone-fruit, mineral, citrus, struck match and nutty lees flavours to take centre stage here. It contributes to the wine’s rich and creamy texture. Complex, with a funky character. Drink 2016-2021 Alc 14%

Astrolabe, Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley 2015 95

£ 20-£ 21.95

Harrods, NZ House of Wine, Waitrose A fine example of the Awatere Valley style, which showcases gooseberry, green capsicum, nettle, wet stone minerals and a suggestion of tomato leaf. This is intense, high-energy Sauvignon Blanc. Drink 2016-2019 Alc 13.5%