3 Fabulous Sauvignon Blancs to Try

3 Fabulous Sauvignon Blancs to Try 

It’s International Sauvignon Blanc Day, so that’s all the more reason to consider sipping this crisp white wine today, or extending the celebration through the weekend. (Why not?!)

As an avid red wine drinker, I have to confess: I’ve been seriously loving white wines these days. And it’s not because the weather is warming, either. I drank white wine all winter long. But for me, it’s dry whites only, please.

In all honesty, Sauvignon Blanc has never been my top pick for whites, but I’ve found myself liking them more and more in the past year. Some Sauv Blancs have a nice level of minerality, a quality I love in white wines. Perhaps that’s why? Or maybe I wasn’t drinking the right Sauvignon Blancs before, or my palate is evolving, something that tends to happen when you drink wine for a long time.

Today is all about Sauvignon Blanc. You’ll find excellent bottles from all over the world, from California to Chile to France to South Africa to New Zealand. Here, three fabulous Sauvignon Blancs to try today and any day you’re in the mood for a beautiful, refreshing glass (or bottle) of white wine.

2017 La Perriere Megalithe Sancerre

Region: Loire Valley, France

Price: $60

A region on the eastern side of the Loire Valley, Sancerre is the wine and appellation and it’s crafted entirely from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Some of the most memorable white wines I’ve tasted have been Sancerres. Swoon!  There’s an elegance to these wines.

One of my favorites thus far is La Perrier Megalithe Sancerre, the icon wine of Saget La Perrière––its first vintage was produced in 1998. It’s an incredibly well-rounded expression of this grape and will likely become more complex as it ages. Taste and you’ll detect green apple, stone fruit, citrus and light vanilla with a buttery richness and limestone notes. Pair it with shrimp scampi, steamed lobster, or a goat cheese salad. Not an everyday wine for most of us, but it’s fabulous if you can splurge.

2021 Kumusha Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Western Cape of South Africa

Retail: $16

I’ve recommended this wine before and I’m going to recommend it again. It’s a great buy and tastes far more expensive than the price tag. The name Kumusha means “your home” in the Zimbabwean Shona language and pays tribute to South Africa, also the home of the winemaker, Tinashe Nyumadoka.

This wine has great acidity and salinity and a touch of jalapeño pepper––it’s fresh, approachable and slightly complex. I detected Granny Smith apple, melon, guava, passion fruit, and a touch of honey. You could drink this one alone or with any number of warm-weather dishes since it’s so versatile. Try it with a cheese and charcuterie plate, broiled sea scallops, or a summer frittata at weekend brunch.

2021 Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Paso Robles, California

Price $18.99

This bright, lively wine from Santa Margarita Ranch in Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast exudes ripe stone fruit––you’ll taste the peach right off the bat––but you’ll also pick up pineapple, lemon, melon, and grapefruit. That said, you may find this wine going down a little too easily, and before you know it, you’ve finished off half (or more!) of the bottle.

Ancient Peaks 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is super drinkable yet has a little complexity, making it a pleasant pre-dinner or after-work sip. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this white would complement light, warm-weather foods, however. Try it with asparagus risotto, a spicy red snapper and avocado ceviche, or a veggie quesadilla with fruit salsa.  It would also be fantastic with raw oysters. I recommend dining al fresco with this bottle in hand.

Do you have a favorite Sauvignon Blanc? Please share in the comments!

Photos courtesy of Ancient Peaks.

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I occasionally receive wines for editorial coverage. All reviews or mentions are of my own accord and not influenced by others.