Durban – January 23 was World Sauvignon Blanc Day.
The initiative started online several years ago as a global social-media winetasting in the Napa Valley, California.
Globally, consumers have an insatiable thirst for sauvignon blanc and it is the varietal that opened the world to prospects for New Zealand’s wine-growing abilities, so it seems appropriate to review some different options for local sauvignon blancs – and one from Chile with a local angle.
Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (retail price: R30) has been a favourite for savouring summer, with Obikwa cellarmaster Michael Bucholz recommending serving this easy-drinking wine with baked cheese and corn scones. Another option is the Strandveld Pofadderbos Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (R113), named for the frequent encounters the workers and winemaker have with these reptiles in that particular vineyard.
This is a powerful wine with tropical fruit flavours and natural acidity worthy of a few years in the cellar and placed right alongside the Shannon Vineyards Sanctuary Peak 2014 (R105), a wine from the coolest wine-growing region on the southern coast.
Since the maiden 2008 vintage, the Shannon sauvignon blancs have garnered widespread praise, with every year securing four-and-a-half stars in Platters. They have also included a small percentage of semillon, contributing to complexity and cellaring.
Another wine tasted over the festive season was the newcomer, Baleia Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (R45), from a winery located near Riversdale. The wine has a pale, greenish-gold colour and reflects classic aromas of apple and hints of gooseberry. It pairs well with fried calamari, smoked seafoods and goats’ cheese dishes.
Last, but not least as one to track down is the Longavi Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (R175), produced as a joint venture in Chile between J Bouchon of Chile and South African sauvignon blanc specialist David Nieuwoudt. It is a wine that lived up to its pre-release hype and won a Veritas double gold last year.
It expounds creamy gooseberry and nettley fruit flavours, with tangy acidity and a long, elegant tropical finish. It is an expensive wine worth every cent for special occasions.
On a different note, KwaZulu-Natal has every reason to be proud of Abingdon with the news on Tuesday that daughter Laurie Smorthwaite received top marks worldwide in the Diploma Champagne module in her Wine and Spirit Education Trust diploma scholarship and in winning the Codorniu Raventos Wineries Scholarship to study in Spain in October.
Diary notes: The Beverly Hills will host wine guru Michael Fridjhon for a wine pairing dinner celebrating the world of wines on February 24. The cost is R475 per person and booking is essential.
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The Mercury