Varietal Classics: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2016 Gold: 0 Silver: 2 Bronze: 4 Commended: 6
2015 Gold: 3 Silver: 5 Bronze: 11 Commended: 3
Well nobody saw this one coming. After years of consistently taking two places on the Gold List and backing them up with a stream of decent Silvers and Bronzes, this year Kiwi Sauvignon drew a blank.
Admittedly, there were other entries that made it on to the list through the side door via the Sauvignon Blanc category in New World whites. But nothing hit top spot in its own ‘specially created commercially useful’ section of the competition. It was disappointing.
Puzzling, too, given that plenty of tasters felt this is as close as it gets to a must-stock white. As with its great white rival Pinot Grigio, numbers were down in this category this year. This partly explains why the medal count went from 19 last year to six in 2016, and suggests also that merchants and producers alike think they can sell whatever they make without trying too hard.
Given the negative feedback at the medal-deciding stage of this competition, they might want to reconsider that viewpoint…
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘At the upper end there was a tight, lean, precise category. But was it mineral or sulphur?” Simon Woods, team leader
‘It was exactly what we expected – the same thing it has been for the last 20 years.’ Jonathan Kleeman, Social Eating House
‘They were consistent, inoffensive, and fault free. Bart Michalewicz, The Arts Club
“New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a must-have on our wine list.” Zuzanna Rogowska, M Restaurants
FOOTNOTE: The price limit for the Varietal Classics category is £12 ex-VAT. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc can also be entered in the relevant New World Sauvignon Blanc category.