NEW WORLD: Sauvignon Blanc, Rest of the World, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, South Africa & USA
2019 Gold 2 Silver 1 Bronze 3 Commended 4
2018 Gold 1 Silver 2 Bronze 1 Commended 2
On this evidence, it’s hard to look much beyond New Zealand (for expensive) and Chile (for cheap) when it comes to New World Sauvignon Blanc. Australia, Argentina et al have never really done much with the grape in this competition, while South Africa (which has shown flashes in the past) seems still to be finding its feet stylistically.
Yet for the latter, at least, the potential is clearly there – Tokara’s lovely example picking up a Food Match award as well as a Gold. Unsurprisingly, it came from the high, cool, apple-growing country of Elgin.
There seem to be increasing signs of oak experimentation, too. But producers need to be very careful about how they do that. Our tasters were sceptical that many of the examples really worked.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘I was quite impressed, I thought it was going to be horrible! A lot more approachable prices compared to Marlborough.’ Laurent Richet MS, team leader
‘[The South Africans] was the worst flight of Sauvignon Blanc I’ve had in a while. Varietal character, but not regional style. For the same price I’d look at New Zealand.’ Tanguy Martin, New Street Warehouse
‘Lots of greenness and vegetables. More on the herbaceous side. Overall good value for money.’ Gabriele Bertotti, Maze by Gordon Ramsay
‘At its best, South African Sauvignon can have lots of ripe citrus, hints of herbaceous character, more weight and ripeness than Old World Sauvignon, sadly we didn’t see a lot of that – a couple of asparagus bombs, overripe fruits and a lack of acidity.’ Laura Rhys MS, team leader