Wine Guy: Staying fresh with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

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Admittedly, Sauvignon Blanc hasn’t exactly been shining in the wine spotlight recently. Like anything, rightly or wrongly, wine tastes are subject to trends, and Prosecco and Rosé seem to be consuming most of the wine chatter these days.

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But the fact remains that Sauvignon Blanc — or Savvy B if you want to revisit its somewhat cringeworthy nickname — remains a fantastic go-to refreshing white.

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So in a nod to both summer sipping and the wine country that popularized a global white wine trend in the ’90s and oughties, here are three New Zealand-grown Sauv Blancs ready for the patio:

Mission Hill 2024 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, crafted in B.C.

($25.99, No. 388629)

Funny enough, it was a B.C. wine that led to a refocus on Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc. Or more precisely, a crafted-in-B.C. bottle.

While most Okanagan and Similkameen wineries sourced grapes from the West Coast (Washington, Oregon and California) for the 2024 vintage, Mission Hill travelled all the way across the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Hemisphere for their Reserve SB.

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Classic Marlborough fruit lends this bright white a classic Marlborough vibe, with extroverted tropical and citrus aromas complemented by underlying herbal and mineral tones. It’s bold and vibrant, with a bracing finish that lingers with lip-smacking aplomb.

Bottom line: B+, serve with a patio and a sunset.

Seven Terraces 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

($20.99, No. 778332)

Another Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but this time from a family owned New Zealand producer. The South Island-situated Marlborough region truly is Sauvignon Blanc territory, and it would be a lot of fun to serve Mission Hill’s Sauv Blanc against this bottle of Seven Terraces.

There are certainly similarities: big time citrus and passion fruit aromas with that hint of herbaceous greenness. The mid-palate brings great texture and freshness, with more tropical fruit and mineral notes leading into a smooth yet crisp lick to finish.

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With numerous Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs to choose from, Seven Terraces remains a great go-to value.

Bottom line: B+, perfect with meal-sized summer salads.

Heaphy 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

($24.99, No. 264940)

Not all New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs hail from Marlborough (though admittedly, the region does account for two-thirds of the country’s wineries).

Also located on the northern reaches of the North Island, but west of Marlborough, lies Nelson. Known more for boutique wineries, Nelson Tasman is home to Heaphy Vineyards.

The region is known for its maritime influence and, similar to the other New Zealand Sauv Blancs, it’s engagingly aromatic and fun to sip thanks to great tension between fruit and acidity. There’s finesse right through a tangy finish, and this is definitely an easy white to enjoy — with or without food.

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Bottom line: B+, lively but lithe.

The Swirl: East Van Cider Fest

The long-standing East Van Cider Fest presented by the Liberty Merchant Company returns to WISE Hall (1882 Adanac St. in Vancouver) from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Featuring cider, ready-to-drink cocktails, mead and spirits from more than 25 producers, tickets to this fundraiser supporting the Greater Vancouver Food Bank are $29.99 and available online or in-person at any Liberty Wine Merchants location.

For details head to libertywinemerchants.com/events/east-van-cider-fest/.

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