- Last updated on June 28, 2022
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular and affordable white wines in the world.
It’s known for its high acidity and typical green herbal flavors. It gives its best in a cooler climate but grows nearly everywhere offering a variety of styles.
After an extensive research, we have picked a selection of the 18 best Sauvignon Blanc you can find right now.
We try our best to find high quality wine that offers great value for money, and I must confess I’m quite happy with the research and work done.
Our Best Sauvignon Blanc Selection
- Best Overall: Gérard Boulay Clos de Beaujeu Sancerre 2019
- Best Value: Domaine du Salvard Cheverny Blanc 2020
- Best under $20: Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2021
- Best California (Napa): Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc 2019
- Best California (Sonoma): Foppiano Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2019
- Best Washington: Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2018
- Best France (Loire Valley): Hubert Brochard Aujourd’hui Comme Autrefois Non Filtré Sancerre 2019
- Best France (Bordeaux): Château de Fontenille Entre-deux-Mers 2020
- Best Italy (Alto Adige): Terlan (Terlano) Sauvignon Winkl 2020
- Best Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia): Venica & Venica Ronco delle Mele Sauvignon 2020
- Best Australia: Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2019
- Best New Zealand: Seifried Estate Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc 2020
- Best South Africa: Tokara Sauvignon Blanc Reserve Collection Elgin 2020
- Best Chile: Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2020
- Best Sparkling: Steenberg Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc N.V.
- Best under $15: Fernlands Sauvignon Blanc 2020
- Best under $50: Vie di Romans Vieris Sauvignon Blanc 2018
- Best Luxury: Château Margaux Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux 2012
18 Best Sauvignon Blanc Reviewed
Find below the reviews for our wine selection of the 18 Best Sauvignon Blanc so that you have all the info you need to pick what’s best for you.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 50% more.
Region: France, Sancerre
Tasting notes: Ripe Grapefruit, Melon, Honeysuckle
Ripe, exotic nose of grapefruit, melon, and sweet floral essences. A lush and juicy, with striking creaminess of texture and a polished finish.
This is an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc at a very competitive price for the quality. Try it with goat cheese and you’ll be in heaven!
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 89% more.
Region: France, Cheverny
Tasting notes: Citrus, Grapefruit, Pear, Bell Pepper
A pale straw in the glass with light fleeting scents of jalapino & bell pepper cloaked in scents of wet stone and citrus.
In the mouth there was good minerality that transitioned into flavors of lemon zest in the midpalate and then closed with good acidity and minerality.
For the price, it is a true bargain! Be quick…
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 45% more.
Region: New Zealand, Marlborough
Tasting notes: Passionfruit, Melon, Citrus.
Truly exceptional wine made by passionate people encapsulates our success story both in New Zealand and around the world.
Nose bursting with passionfruit, melon and citrus, hints of grass. Crisp and bright on the palate, with refreshing acidity and layers of juicy fruit flavors.
Perfect with seafood, salads, fried food, white meat, lighter cheeses, and tomato dishes. Best served chilled.
Seriously, for the quality you get, less than $15 is a gift!
Region: United States, Napa Valley
Tasting notes: Lemon, Grapefruit, Honeydew.
Here is an extract from the Vivino Editor’s note: “The Legendary Cakebread Delivers the Goods—Yet Again—with This Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc That’s Earned 100 PERFECT 5.0 ★ Vivino User Ratings!”
Now, the user might have been a little too enthusiastic… still, for this price, this is one of the best Sauv Blanc Napa you can find!
Vivino’s tips: Great value for money. Similar wines usually cost 3 times as much.
Region: United States, Russian River Valley
Tasting notes: Lime, Lemon, Melon, Straw
It’s not a typo, this wine is priced a third vs to its peers…🤩
Aromas of green grass and lime give way to subtle flavors of dried apricot, vibrant Meyer lemon and lime zest on the palate. A refreshing, food friendly wine.
Here an extract from the Vivino Editor’s note: “Zesty, New Zealand-Styled Sauvignon Blanc From Hallowed Russian River Valley Vines. A No Brainer Multiple Case Buy For All SB Fans! This Won’t Last Long…”
Vivino’s tips: This vintage rates better than any other year for this wine
Region: United States, Columbia Valley
Tasting notes: Melon, Apple, Citrus, Straw.
Chateau Ste. Michelle wines are crafted at two facilities: The white wines are made at the Woodinville winery near Seattle and the red wines at the Canoe Ridge Estate winery in eastern Washington.
This is a very affordable yet enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc, perfect for the every day drinking or any informal occasions.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 74% more.
Region: France, Sancerre
Tasting notes: Citrus, Pear, Green Apple, Gooseberry.
Intense gooseberry fruit and leafy nettle notes that also perfume the fruity, full and mouth watering palate.
This wine isn’t just great, it also offer a very good value for money that it’s hard to beat. If you can have great quality for a cheap price, why not going for it?
Vivino’s tips: Great value for money. Similar wines usually cost 3 times as much.
Region: France, Entre-deux-Mers
Tasting notes: Citrus, Grapefruit, Peach, Grass.
In case you wonder, it’s not a typo. This wine is priced 3 times less than its peers. I’d be quick…
It’s a blend of 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 20% each of Muscadelle, Semillon, and Sauvignon Gris.
To be drunk within three years to keep its freshness. But it can also be kept, getting rounder and more balanced in the bottle.
Region: Italy·Südtirol – Alto Adige
Tasting notes: Ripe Apricot, Mandarin, Passion fruit, Elderflower
Intensive straw yellow with a delicate green shimmer. Ripe fruit aromas of apricot, mandarin and passion fruit mingle with elements of elderberry, nettle and mint.
The fruitiness continues on the palate in combination with a fine acidity. The wine scores with a good structure and a minerally but at the same time aromatic finish.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 30% more.
Region: Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Tasting notes: Apple, Peach, Pineapple, Gooseberry.
Light gold with green highlights, explosive nose with elder flowers and hints of sage and mint, white peach and gooseberry. Dry, very balanced, ripe fruit with citrus notes, long finale.
If you have never tried this Sauvignon Blanc style, start with this bottle.
Region: New Zealand, Nelson
Tasting notes: Passion fruit, Lemon, Green Apple, Lemon Grass.
This is another great wine you can find for lees than $20!
It is lively, vibrant and packed with varietal character. Crisp nettle, dried hops and tropical fruit flavors define the nose. Zippy, yet ripe fruit on the palate is mouth filling and moreish.
The wine has a long, clean, flavorsome finish with lingering flavors.
Region: South Africa, Elgin
Tasting notes: Passion Fruit, Guava, Citrus, Gooseberry.
This is yet another great variation on the theme.
As an aperitif or served with fresh summer foods such as wild oysters, asparagus with hollandaise saucer fresh grilled yellowtail with salsa verde, it will not disappint you.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 38% more.
Region: Chile, Casablanca Valley
Tasting notes: Lime, Guava, Grass
On the nose, notes of key lime, guava and sea salt dominate with just a hint of white pepper. In the mouth, bright flavors of ginger and citrus zest give way to a tight mineral backbone and fresh acidity.
Region: South Africa, Constantia
Tasting notes: Passion Fruit, Litchi, Guava, Pineapple
It has made to be fun, fruity and fresh and the nose bursts with aromas of passion fruit, litchi, guava, pineapple, mango and green figs.
The palate is fresh and fizzy with hints of pineapple and passion fruit and a long lingering aftertaste with a refreshing finish, perfect for a hot summer’s day.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 34% more
Region: New Zealand, Marlborough
Tasting notes: Lemon, Lime, Tropical Fruit, Gooseberry.
Light straw color with hints of green. Bright green herbal fruit aromas, with hints of lime and lemon and a touch of capsicum and gooseberry.
Lovely, bright green fruit with hints of gooseberry, citrus, and cut-grass characters on the palate. A solid backbone of zesty acid with a clean, fresh finish.
Rather shallow, with generous gravel pebbly texture, sand-silt of a reddish hue due to presence of ferrous and aluminum oxides, well drained, little water-retention capacity.
This is not the usual Sauvignon Blanc, it will positively surprise you.
Region: France, Bordeaux
Tasting notes: Citrus, Grapefruit, Tropical, Nutty, Vanilla, Honey, Gosseberry.
This is a special bottle for a very special occasion.
It is exquisitely elegant and delicate, with subtle richness and complexity of flavor, and a lingering, distinctive bouquet.
Buying Guide to Sauvignon Blanc
It’s not just about which Sauvignon Blanc you should buy. There are other important aspects like how to serve it, food pairings, and much more. The below buying guide will give you a detailed overview on all these topics.
Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc Overview
Here you find an overview on where this Sauvignon Blanc style is most commonly planted.
Grape
Sauvignon Blanc
ABV
11.5% - 14%
Main Regions
France: Loire
Other Regions
Chile
Italy: Alto Adige
Grape
Sauvignon Blanc
ABV
11.5% - 14%
Main Regions
France: Loire
Other Regions
Chile
Italy: Alto Adige
Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Flint
Green Bell Pepper
Gooseberry
Lime
Palate
White Peach
Citrus
Saline & Dry
High Acidity
Light Body
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Flint
Green Bell Pepper
Gooseberry
Lime
Palate
White Peach
Citrus
Saline & Dry
High Acidity
Light Body
Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
Appetitizer
Salad
Brussel Sprouts
Asparagus
Meat
Chicken
Turkey
Fish
Shellfish
Halibut
Cod
Salmon
Sushi
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Cream (Brie)
Appetitizer
Salad
Brussel Sprouts
Asparagus
Meat
Chicken
Turkey
Fish
Shellfish
Halibut
Cod
Salmon
Sushi
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Cream (Brie)
Serve and Store Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store this Sauvignon Blanc style.
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay
Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
1-3 years
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay
Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
1-3 years
Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc Styles
There are five notables areas in the Central Loire Valley. Each area comes with taste variations:
- Menetou-Salon: fresh, musky floral, citrus fruit, white peach a rounded mouthfeel.
- Pouilly-Fumé: vibrant, very mineral, with citrus and floral aromas.
- Quincy: high acidity, citrus fruit, cut grass, and pepper aromas with a rounded mouthfeel.
- Reuilly: high acidity, citrus fruit, white peach, and herbal aromas.
- Sancerre: vibrant, mineral, citrus fruit, gooseberry, cut grass, and floral aromas.
Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc Overview
Here you find an overview on where this Sauvignon Blanc style is most commonly planted.
Grape
Sauvignon Blanc
ABV
11.5% - 14%
Main Regions
France: Bordeaux
USA: California
Other Regions
USA: Washington
Italy: Tuscany
South Africa
Grape
Sauvignon Blanc
ABV
11.5% - 14%
Main Regions
France: Bordeaux
USA: California
Other Regions
USA: Washington
Italy: Tuscany
South Africa
Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc.
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Fennel Blossom
Citrus
Lime
White Peach
Beeswax
Palate
White Peach
Lime
Honeycomb
Round/Creamy
Dry
Medium-High Acidity
Light Body
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Fennel Blossom
Citrus
Lime
White Peach
Beeswax
Palate
White Peach
Lime
Honeycomb
Round/Creamy
Dry
Medium-High Acidity
Light Body
Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc
Appetitizer
Salad
Brussel Sprouts
Asparagus
Meat
Chicken
Turkey
Fish
Shellfish
Halibut
Cod
Salmon
Sushi
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Cream (Brie)
Appetitizer
Salad
Brussel Sprouts
Asparagus
Meat
Chicken
Turkey
Fish
Shellfish
Halibut
Cod
Salmon
Sushi
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Cream (Brie)
Serve and Store Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store this Sauvignon Blanc style.
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay
Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
3-5 years
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay
Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
3-5 years
Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc Useful Insight
For Bordeaux style, it’s common to see “lees” contact and barrels aging that produce more rounded and rich in taste wines. To know more check our winemaking guide.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Overview
Here you find an overview on where this Sauvignon Blanc style is most commonly planted.
Grape
Sauvignon Blanc
ABV
11.5% - 14%
Main Regions
New Zealand: Marlborough
Other Regions
Italy: Friuli Venezia Giulia
Grape
Sauvignon Blanc
ABV
11.5% - 14%
Main Regions
New Zealand: Marlborough
Other Regions
Italy: Friuli Venezia Giulia
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Asparagus
Passion Fruit
Lime
Grapefruit
Pineapple
Mango
Gooseberry
Palate
Zesty
Lime
Passion Fruit
Grapefruit
Saline & Dry
High Acidity
Light Body
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Asparagus
Passion Fruit
Lime
Grapefruit
Pineapple
Mango
Gooseberry
Palate
Zesty
Lime
Passion Fruit
Grapefruit
Saline & Dry
High Acidity
Light Body
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Appetitizer
Salad
Brussel Sprouts
Asparagus
Meat
Chicken
Turkey
Fish
Shellfish
Halibut
Cod
Salmon
Sushi
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Cream (Brie)
Appetitizer
Salad
Brussel Sprouts
Asparagus
Meat
Chicken
Turkey
Fish
Shellfish
Halibut
Cod
Salmon
Sushi
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Cream (Brie)
Serve and Store Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store this Sauvignon Blanc style.
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay
Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
1-3 years
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay
Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
1-3 years
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Styles
You can find both sharp and more intense flavors from stainless steel tanks, or more rounded and creamy wines from barrels.
There are six New Zealand style and Marlborough is the most prominent:
- The Northern Island has a milder and warmer climate which translates into a riper and fruity style of SB. The regions are:
- Hawke’s Bay (tropical fruit and creamy from the oak),
- Wairarapa (stone fruit, herbal and wet stone),
- Gisborne (ripe tropical fruit)
- The Southern Island has a cooler climate which translates into higher acidity and crispiness. The regions are:
- Marlborough (passion fruit, gooseberry, and herbaceous),
- Nelson (tropical fruit),
- Canterbury/Waipara (citrus fruit, high acidity, and minerality),
- Central Otago (start with tropical fruit and ends with dry and mineral)
Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Overview
Here you find an overview on where this Sauvignon Blanc style is most commonly planted.
Grape
Sauvignon Blanc
ABV
11.5% - 12.5%
Main Regions
New Zealand
Other Regions
South Africa
Grape
Sauvignon Blanc
ABV
11.5% - 12.5%
Main Regions
New Zealand
Other Regions
-
Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Green Bell Pepper
Yeasty Apple
Tropical Fruit
Gooseberry
Palate
Honey Flavor
Tangy Fruit
Dry
High Acidity
Non-Persistent Bubbles
Light Body
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Green Bell Pepper
Yeasty Apple
Tropical Fruit
Gooseberry
Palate
Honey Flavor
Tangy Fruit
Dry
High Acidity
Non-Persistent Bubbles
Light Body
Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.
Appetitizer
Prosciutto Crudo
Creamy Souce
Meat
Pork
Asian Cuisine
Fish
Shellfish
Smoked Salmon
Caviar
Sashimi
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Cream (Brie)
Appetitizer
Prosciutto Crudo
Creamy Souce
Meat
Pork
Asian Cuisine
Fish
Shellfish
Smoked Salmon
Caviar
Sashimi
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Cream (Brie)
Serve and Store Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store this Sauvignon Blanc style.
Decant
Nope
Glass
Flûte
Serve at
43 - 50 °F
6 - 10 °C
Store for
2-5 years
Decant
Nope
Glass
Flûte
Serve at
43 - 50 °F
6 - 10 °C
Store for
2-5 years
Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Useful Insight
The sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is made, similarly with Prosecco, with the Charmat Method. The first and second fermentation is in steel.
Our Verdict
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular and affordable white wines in the world.
What to do next?
Be sure to serve your Sauvignon Blanc at the right temperature.
Read our wine tasting guide to enhance your tasting experience and taste like the pro! Alternatively, why don’t you check out our guides on Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Champagne?
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Sauvignon Blanc.
What does Sauvignon Blanc mean?
“Sauvignon” is a French word that derives from “souvage”, i.e. wild, since the vines are reminiscent of wild grapevines.
“Blanc” is a French word that means “white” in English, and comes from the light greyish skin of the grape.
What is Sauvignon Blanc history?
Origins are not clear. It is thought to originate in West the Loire Valley and Bordeaux Regions in Western France.
During the 18th century in Bordeaux the pairing of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc led to Cabernet Sauvignon.
The vine arrived in California at the end of 1800 and acquired the alias of “Fumé Blanc” From Robert Mondav in 1968.
In 1970 the vine arrived in New Zealand but it’s only in the late 20th century that the Marlborough region gained a reputation.
In 2015 Sauvignon Blanc accounted for the vast majority of New Zealand’s wine exports.
Where does Sauvignon Blanc grow best?
Sauvignon Blanc ripens early and grows best in cool climates like France, New Zealand, and Northern Italy.
These wines tend to have high acidity, citrus fruit, and herbaceous flavors with some tropical fruit and floral notes.
In France, the climate slows the ripening of the vine which results in better acidity vs sugar balance and develops aromas intensity.
In warmer climates such as California, Washington, South Africa, and Chile, the tropical fruit notes intensify.
This happens thanks to the over-ripening of the grapes, which, if not controlled will considerably reduce aromas.
When is the perfect time to drink Sauvignon Blanc?
Like Pinot Grigio and Unoaked Chardonnay, a hot summer day is perfect to enjoy Sauvignon Blanc: it’s refreshing, very light, and easy to drink.
Is Sauvignon Blanc sweet?
Sauvignon Blanc is not sweet. It is a dry wine which means it contains less than 15 g/L, or sugar per liter. Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
When is the International Sauvignon Blanc day?
There is an International Sauvignon Blanc day and it’s the first Friday in May.
Which wines were first bottled with a screw cap in commercial quantities?
Sauvignon Blanc has many synonyms. The most famous are Fumé Blanc in the US, Feigentraube in Germany, and Muskat-Silvaner in Austria.
What are Sauvignon Blanc Synonims?
There’s a Pinot Grigio Rosé version called Ramato that you should try. Let’s find more about it here.
Can Sauvignon Blanc Smell of Cat Pee?
Yes it can. Cat pee is a possible flavor. Yes I know, you would not expect that. It comes from the 4MMP chemical compound. So don’t worry the wine is still good!
Is Sauvignon Blanc used for Dessert Wine?
What’s Sauvignon Blanc's typical price range?
- For Light Body White Wine, the price generally ranges from $10-$40. Where $20-$40 are generally the French and Italian wines, $10-$30 California and New Zealand wines. $10-$20 for the rest.
You can though also find Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux that costs over $1000 like Château Haut-Brion blanc AC Pessac-Léognan, 2007. - For Sparkling Wine, the average price is between $15-$25
