Five Great, Everyday Casual Sauvignon Blancs
You know those contests where everybody is a winner?? This lineup is that.
May 7 was International Sauvignon Blanc Day, and if any grape is going to unite the world, it may as well be this one.
Sauvignon Blanc is known for producing a wide variety of styles. Depending on the region and producer, wine made from Sauvignon Blanc features floral notes along with citrus, stone, and tropical fruit, herbs, and minerality that can range from salty to stoney to chalky. Bright acid is a hallmark of the grape, and it pairs well with many dishes while also being easily drinkable on its own. Bottle prices range from everyday casual to the true oooh lala styles that we all so desperately love to try.
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world’s most popular varieties, and was a go-to for locked down Americans during 2020. Given its ubiquity, the choices of what to buy are endless, so we’ve whittled down a quick list of five under $25 that will not disappoint!
In alphabetical order:
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard 2019 is from Marlborough, the spiritual home of sauvignon blanc (the grape originated in France). Te Muna Road showcases green apple, sweet orange, mango, dried lemon peel, dried herbs and ginger, and a touch of saline. This elegant wine is lifted and ripe with a long, layered finish. It’s perfect to start a nice night out. Approx $20, price and availability vary by state.
Geisen Sauvignon Blanc 2020 , also from Marlborough, New Zealand, is made of fruit that comes from Wairau and Awatare Valleys. Geisen offers notes of lime, grapefruit, peach, and dried green herbs. It pairs with light pasta and seafood dishes. This is a great wine to have on hand for casual sipping. Approx $20, price and availability vary by state.
Henri Bourgeouis Sancerre Le Barron Blanc 2019 This focused beauty starts with white blossom notes that progress into key lime pie, which then turn over to smoke and flint. Le Barron’s differentiating factor is that the emphasis falls more toward savory characteristics, making the wine a wonderful pairing for light, tangy cheeses and shellfish. Approx $25, price and availability vary by state.
Oberon Sauvignon Blanc 2019 from Napa Valley has a creamy feel from barrel fermentation, as well as green apples, pear, and kiwi. This wine is a bit weightier than the previous three and features a perfumed, muscat note that comes from Sauvignon Musqué, a clone of Sauvignon Blanc developed in Bordeaux in the 1960’s and widely used in California. Otherwise find ripe tropical fruit and vanilla. Approx $20, price and availability vary by state.
Tramin Sauvignon Blanc 2019 from Trentino Alto-Adige is a bit of an oddity because, while it shows typicality for the variety, the winemaker mentions notes of elderflower and paprika, which add an interesting dimension to the usual lemon, gooseberry, and mango characteristics. Tramin is bright and fresh and a great expression of sauvignon blanc. Try it for the curiosity factor and come back because it's delicious. Approx $22, price and availability vary by state.
Wine LALA gets a small - very small, barely worth mentioning- commission for any sales through our affiliate wine.com. Each of these wines was chosen for its merit, NOT for compensation.