Sauvignon blanc has unique characteristics that makes it hard to confuse with any other wine. Citrus flavours like lemon, lime, and grapefruit are common, along with tropical fruit and notes of cut grass.
When it comes to quality sauvignon the fruit needs a cool to moderate climate, so it comes as no surprise that the Adelaide Hills – cool and diverse – and Margaret River's Mediterranean maritime climate are the two regions where the grape thrives.
Here are three wines to try from South Australia's Weaver and Sidewood, and Flowstone in Western Australia.
2022 Weaver Sauvignon Blanc
Lifted aroma of pear, cut grass and hints of flowers. The 2022 is fresh, fragrant and complex. Nothing heavy or vegetal in the aroma. Fresh fruit with a lively, juicy richness on the palate and a lingering, fresh acid edge to the finish. Full, long and delicate. A tightly structured wine with a generous, supple mid-palate and a fine, long, savoury finish.Winemaker Geoff Weaver says: I love the vibrant freshness of the aroma, the fragrance and subtly. I like deep sauvignon that isn't heavy. Sauvignon can be fine, delicate and complex when grown in vineyards well suited to the variety, which is our aim at Lenswood.
H. How is this wine best enjoyed?
GW. Pair the 2022 with seafood such as barramundi, whiting or squid, for a perfect match. Spicy Asian dishes also work well, but try to avoid chilli as the heat can dim the flavour of the wine.
RRP $30 | Drink to 2030 | geoffweaver.com.au
2021 Flowstone Sauvignon Blanc
Wildly fragrant notes of elder flower, lemon verbena, lime skin, passionfruit, gooseberry, guava, stone fruits, black currant bud. The bouquet is lively with wisps of sweet herbs, lemon curd, wet stones, and vanilla pod spice. The palate is racy, rich, fleshy, and full of citrus, passionfruit, custard apple, stone fruits, herbs, and spice. A bright citric acidity and a savoury mineral edge add length and temper the intense and concentrated fruit. Beginning to reveal its immense complexity and depth, this wine exudes a power of varietal fruit, texture, finesse, precision and is an absolute joy to taste.Winemaker Stuart Pym says: Sauvignon blanc is always exacting in the vineyard and the winery. If you are successful in the vineyard, your winemaking techniques and skill allow you to build complexity in the wine and preserve varietal character. Perfect ripeness is critical to wine quality, subject to climatic factors daily, easy to miss, and difficult to nail.
H. How is this wine best enjoyed?
SP. The classic paring that takes me back to Sancerre and indulges my love of goat's cheese is Crottin de Chavignol with an asparagus salad. Otherwise, try a salad of roasted beetroot with basil, walnuts, and Persian feta.
RRP $36 | Drink to 2026 | flowstonewines.com
2022 Sidewood Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Citrus and nettle aromas intertwined with delicate, crisp flavours of gooseberry, lemon peel and grapefruit. Beautifully balanced with lovely mid-palate texture and a lively, lingering finish.Owner and vigneron Owen Inglis says: Sauvignon blanc is a variety that can be made in a range of styles, from oaked and robust to lean and crisp. We love our style because it represents what we appreciate in this variety, which is an expression showcasing its versatility and clean refreshing nature.
H. How is this wine best enjoyed?
OI. The versatility of sauvignon blanc ensures it suitably pairs with a range of cuisines. Our style of pronounced clean aromatics and flavours as well as a linear acidity, allow this wine to stand up against heavily flavoured dishes like Thai fish curry or seared duck breast. Our wine still remains delicate enough to pair with lighter style dishes: shucked oysters, charred calamari or fresh prawns are always recommended with this wine.
RRP $22 | Drink to 2027 | sidewood.com.au
Image credit: Wine Australia.
