The results in full from The Sauvignon Blanc Masters 2021

Sauvignon Blanc may be known for its signature citrus and gooseberry flavours, but producers are bringing out many aspects of this popular grape, as we saw among the medallists in 2021’s Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters.

FOR A grape variety so well known for one style of wine – gooseberry-scented and citrus-tasting whites, Sauvignon Blanc offers remarkable stylistic diversity. Such a conclusion can be drawn after a day spent judging around 200 samples for the annual Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters, a competition taking in bottles from a broad sweep of nations, and wines subjected to different picking decisions and cellar techniques.

In particular, we tasted Sauvignons made using many different fermentation formats, from stainless steel tanks to egg-shaped concrete vessels, barriques and oak casks of varying sizes. We also assessed Sauvignons blended with other grapes, such as Riesling and Semillon, Muscat and Verdelho, and then there were the source areas, which in 2021 included France, New Zealand, the US, South Africa, Chile, Italy, Australia and Greece.

But what were the dominant styles? Well, it seems Sauvignon Blanc today seems to fall into five general categories.

The first is the green type, where fruit has either been picked early, or the climate is so cool, that the wine is light, acidic, with crunchy flavours, notably capsicum and raw bean, while gooseberry may be present too.

The second is the citric version, where grapefruit and lemon dominate, ensuring the wine is fresh, and light, but not unripe in character.

The third is a richer style, where the fruit flavours move towards peach and pear, passion fruit too, and the texture fills out to make the wine seem heavier, even when the acidity is high.

Unoaked 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Oaked 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Unoaked Blend (minimum 50% Sauvignon Blanc)

Oaked Blend (minimum 50% Sauvignon Blanc)

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters provides a chance for your wines to star, whether they hail from the great vineyards of Europe or lesser-known winemaking areas of the world.

The 2021 competition was judged over one day in November at 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen in Chelsea, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding in their field received the ultimate accolade – the title of Sauvignon Blanc Master. This report features the medal winners only.

Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com