Chile: top 10 great value Sauvignon Blanc wines
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc comes in a range of styles: from zesty cool-climate wines to easygoing, fruity bottles. The Decanter team round up their favourite good value bottles, starting from £7.49
Sauvignon Blanc is a firm fixture on Chile’s wine scene, being the country’s most widely planted white grape variety. Once largely confined to the Central Valley heartlands of Curicó and Maule, Sauvignon Blanc plantings can now be found right across Chile’s wine map, from the Atacama desert down to the deep south, with vineyards located in Andean heights and on the Pacific coast.
‘Traditionally, Chilean Sauvignon sits somewhere between what might be termed the “classic” extrovert New Zealand style and the more restrained Old World iterations,’ explains Peter Richards MW, author of The Wines of Chile, DWWA Regional Chair for Chile and Chairman of the Decanter Retailer Awards.
‘These days, you can find everything from invigorating yet subtle styles (often from northern territories like Limarí or Huasco) to tangy, pungent versions (Elqui), or the broad, spicy intensity of San Antonio. Casablanca does everything from easygoing styles (valley floor and east) to more aromatic, citric, complex examples from its more coastal westerly hillsides,’ he adds.
Importantly, Chile can also deliver great value across the board. Try these bottles selected by the Decanter team from recent tastings.
Get more great Chilean wine recommendations in the Decanter October 2020 issue, our South America special, on sale now.
Great value Sauvignon Blanc wines from Chile:
See also:
Decanter Premium: What’s hot in Chile
Twenty top Sauvignon Blancs from around France
Best Aldi wines to try
Leyda, Single Vineyard Garuma Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, San Antonio, Chile, 2019
92
This single vineyard located on west facing slopes receives abundant cool breezes from the ocean, which contributes to its pungent aromas of freshly cut green peppers, asparagus, grapefruit, lime, tropical and grassy notes. On the palate it displays lovely texture and good concentration of fruit underpinned by racy acidity.
2019
LeydaLeyda Valley
Morandé, Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 2018
91
Head winemaker Ricardo Baettig is not afraid to take risks and push stylistic boundaries – his top Sauvignons are a case in point, marrying taut citric structure with complex smoky, woody, mineral tones. This one has shades of Pessac-Léognan. Great value.
2018
Morandé
Viñedos Marchigüe, Los Camachos Sauvignon Blanc, Curicó Valley, Chile, 2019
From a small single vineyard in the Curicó Valley, 13km from Chile’s lake Vichuquén and 22km from the Pacific coast, this Sauvignon certainly over-delivers for...
2019
Viñedos Marchigüe
Ignacio Recabarren, Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 2019
90
The second vintage of this very tasty cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc from the personal label of one of Chile's legendary winemakers. Pungent aromas of gooseberries and tomato leaf continue on the fresh, grassy palate, whose acidity is more mellow than you'd expect given the tart, zingy flavours. Ripe and juicy with a long lemon zest finish. The bottle is unnecessarily heavy, but it's a great price for the quality.
2019
Ignacio Recabarren
Morrisons, The Best Sauvignon Blanc, Aconcagua Valley, Chile, 2019
90
Made in partnership with Vina Cono Sur, this Chilean Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Casablanca Valley. The cool climate region gives the wine a refreshing nose of passion fruit, white peach, newly-cut grass and asparagus, in addition to a crisp and saline palate of citrus, green apple and herbs, followed by white pepper spiced finish.
2019
Morrisons
Miguel Torres, Santa Digna Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Chile, 2019
A fresh, unoaked style of Sauvignon from Chile's Central Valley. Refreshing citrus aromas, with undertones of gooseberry and lime, lead to a zesty and vibrant...
2019
Miguel Torres
Veramonte, Organic Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 2018
89
A fresh, fruity white from organic vineyards in Casablanca Valley. Lots of varietal typicity here, with vibrant gooseberry and lime aromas. More gooseberries and ripe citrus on the palate with zingy acidity and a creamy edge. Plenty for Sauvignon lovers to enjoy!
2018
Veramonte
Cono Sur, Organic Sauvignon Blanc, San Antonio, Chile, 2019
Cono Sur's organically farmed Sauvignon vines are planted in San Antonio Valley, just 15km from the Pacific Ocean. Lots of varietal typicity here, with zingy...
2019
Cono Sur
Ventisquero, Grey Sauvignon Blanc, Huasco Valley, Atacama, Chile, 2017
87
Just as the Ranco Riesling speaks of the new Chile, so this Atacaman vineyard in the country's far north is similarly ground-breaking. Cool oceanic influence gives freshness and a salty lick to this vibrant, distinctive character of roasted green pepper, paprika and lime. Invigorating.
2017
VentisqueroHuasco Valley
Waitrose, Vina Valdivieso Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 2019
87
Easy-drinking summer Sauvignon from Chile's coastal Casablanca Valley. It has more lime and lime pitch character than you might expect, but that works well here in combination with the nettle and gooseberry hints, and the dry but rounded flavour profile. Good value.
2019
Waitrose
