That Other White Wine- It May Change Your Life 

Sauvignon Blanc

Do you feel as though you are in a rut?  Are you bored with the same old thing and occasionally long for the excitement of something different? You can now experience that thrill of breaking free and living outside the envelope without jeopardizing your marriage or relationship. You’ll also save money while you are doing it

How many times have you been out on the town and made that well known statement of sophistication “I’ll have a glass of Chardonnay, please” only to find that what you got tasted like it escaped a box and was tired from the effort.  It probably was slightly sweet and had little discernible flavor of the fruit. Yet it still cost you  $6 or $7.

The two words that may change your life are Sauvignon Blanc.  Right now, Sauvignon Blanc is just a much better value not only in terms of price but also in palate challenging flavor. Along with the wines of Australia and New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc is the big news of the decade. The reasons are very apparent.

The overwhelming move over the last two decades to lighter dining choices of fish and poultry seemed to call for a light and white wine. Frankly, Chardonnay was the only name we knew. This excessive demand over these years has pushed it into the production of marginal grapes in marginal environments. In addition, as Cabernet Sauvignon prices are tied to the prestigious (and overpriced) French reds of Bordeaux, Chardonnay ties its wagon to the equally prestigious (and equally overpriced) French whites of Burgundy. Sauvignon Blanc with its principal pedigree from the overlooked and limited Loire Valley has been neither marginally produced nor over priced. 

The three western states have made great progress over the last 10 years in Sauvignon Blanc. It had often been described as acidly herbaceous, grassy and light. These terms scared many sippers away. Now the better vintners, and there are lots of them, are producing beautiful dry wines with crisp flavor of the grape, full body and freshness that is enhanced by light acidity. It constantly out taste-tests Chardonnay that command 25% to 40% higher prices.

There are the usual big name suspects such as Beringer, Kendall Jackson and Mondavi, all of whom offer acceptable products at fair prices. But there may be some better choices.
Washington State’s Columbia Crest the runaway domestic low-end value leader in Cabs and Chardonnay also leads the Sauvignon Blanc pack at well under $10. If that price scares you, small Napa Valley vintner Mason is highly recommended in the under $15 range. If the recent market surge has put you back in the bucks, go for Napa Carneros district Selene. It has crisp grapefruit and fig flavors with lingering intensity on a lively finish. At $23, I am not kidding you when I tell you that it is just about the top of the price line. Warning: Stay away from the West Coast ‘99 vintage.  It was a disappointment. Look for 2000- 01s. They are young. But Sauvignon Blanc can be drunk fresh and young. That is another one of its appeals.

However, if you are really willing to be get out of the envelope, rugged New Zealand is the place to go (at least for this wine). Right now the Marlborough district is producing vibrant, aromatic and crisp wines that rank with the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. The prices are astonishing due to lower production costs and a strong dollar. Go to your local wine merchant and ask him if he can find Thornbury, 2001.It is a bold yet silky wine with multiple fruit flavored nuances that will astound you.   At $17 it may be one of the three best white wine values in the world. If you can’t find it, Selaks, 2001 is a readily available alternative choice at $13 along with the fruity  Omaka Springs 2001. Most $25-30 Chardonnay wither away in taste tests with the three above. If  $10 is your upper limit the Australian Sauvignon Blancs such as Wolf Blass and Lindemans are very drinkable and perhaps a slight cut above Columbia Crest in the same price range. 

As with anything in life, a little bit of effort produces results. Your local wine merchant should have the flexibility, service and knowledge to get you the best overall values on wines like this by ordering or suggesting those that are not widely available but very well priced for the quality. In the end you often actually get more for your wine dollar in incremental value than a “Big Box” bargain. 

This new and different experience might get you out of the rut and put that needed excitement back into your life