It’s true: April showers do bring May flowers — along with rain, thunder, floods and hail.
It’s also the time of year when staying on high ground, dry and indoors feels like the safest bet. And while we wait for the weather to settle, it’s the perfect moment to look ahead to the warmer seasons and stock up on white wines.
A very popular white wine is the Sauvignon Blanc. In its French incarnation, the wine seems a bit austere and the varieties signature aroma of summer fruit and fresh cut grass is definitely over done.
Among the most interesting Sauvignon Blancs are those from the southern hemisphere, Chile, Argentina and then around to the other side of the world, Australia and New Zealand.
Why this particular variety does so well in the southern hemisphere is a mystery to me, but the wines are different compared to those of the northern hemisphere.
These differences are not thighs noticed by wine specialists and actual or self styled experts. The differences are so noticeable that they will be quickly noticed even by the occasional wine drinker. With this auspicious beginning, let us take a look at the Sauvignon Blanc wines from around the world.
Robert Oatley Australian Sauvignon Blanc ($22)
While New Zealand is better known for its sauvignon blanc wines, the Australian-grown sauvignon blanc wines should not be cast off as an "also-ran.”
This wine is crisp and acidic, with the pronounced aromas of green olives and lemon, along with notes of pepper and nectarine. The very intense flavor displays notes of gooseberry, pepper and melon.
Riding throughout both the flavor and aroma is the grape variety's signature herbaceous (dry grass) aroma and flavor. All of these manage to show up in the finish, which is long and luscious. This wine is a fine example of the variety and is also a great representative for Australian wines.
Tussock Jumper 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ($17.95)
One thing that ALL wine aficionados, experts, and even the wine geeks agree on is that the best sauvignon blanc wines come from New Zealand.
The soil, the annual temperature, and the arctic winds that blow across the island nation make the New Zealand Sauvignon blanc wines something special, which they truly are.
Tropical fruits and ripe melon flavors mingle with citrus in the aroma, with a hint of summer berries. The finish of this wine is big, fruity and long-lasting. This sauvignon blanc is a tribute to the New Zealand winemakers and to Tussock Jumper for bringing it over here.
Concha Y Toro Gran Reserva 2021 Sauvignon Blanc ($7)
From Chile’s preeminent wine producer comes a sauvignon the supports the company's name and commitment to quality.
This wine is about as true to the definition of a classical Sauvignon Blanc as one can get, with the aroma featuring suggestions of lime and grapefruit.
The flavor continues the citrus theme adding a mild grassy background. The high mineral content of the wine, a trademark of all Chilean wines, adds an extra layer of complexity. Do not become a price snob. This is a very fine wine that is a perfect accompaniment to warm weather food, door deliveries and take-outs. It also makes an excellent sipping wine.
Cono Sur Organico 20214 Chilean Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
Here is a wine that rides the fence between the French and California style. The difference here is that the vines were grown without the use of anything artificial, such as chemical fertilizers or anything else that was not totally natural.
The aroma stresses pear, grapefruit and vanilla with a hint of summer flowers with yeast in the background. The flavor does a 180-degree turn and returns to the classical style of grapefruit, green apple and pear with a hint of the classical grassiness in the background.
They all reinforce the signature mineral-like element. With respect for the modern way of living, this wine has one more feature: it’s vegan.
Bennet Bodenstein is a wine enthusiast and book author whose column appears in publications throughout the country.
