Aromatic, citrusy and distinct with refreshing acidity, Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most internationally recognised and popular white wines in the world.
Remarkably versatile, it is one of the most widely planted grape varieties. Sauvignon Blanc has found many places to call home with some of its most popular renditions coming from regions like the Loire or Bordeaux in France, where it originates, to Marlborough, New Zealand or the Central Valley in Chile.
Scroll down to discover 20 award-winning Sauvignon Blanc wines from 20 countries
From where it’s grown to winemaking style, Sauvignon Blanc can range from zesty citrus, grassy and mineral-led styles to fruity, pungent, easy drinking wines. Marked by high acidity, it’s a wine which refreshes the palate with every sip.
To celebrate this truly international grape variety and the 15th annual International Sauvignon Blanc Day, we look to Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) results from across the globe to recommend 20 Sauvignon Blanc based wines from across 20 countries.
From Argentina and Chile to France and Germany, Greece, Japan, the United States and everywhere in between, discover a global selection of award winning Sauvignon Blancs from the 2023 competition to try.
DWWA 2023 award-winning wines to celebrate Sauvignon Blanc Day
Argentina
Bodega Salentein, Single Vineyard Los Nogales Sauvignon Blanc, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2021
Silver, 91 points
Citrusy nose with white fruit and tropical aromas, hints of flowers and cut grass. Lively on the palate, mineral finish. Alcohol 13.5%
Australia
Forester Estate, Sauvignon Blanc, Margaret River, Western Australia 2022
Silver, 92 points
Nuanced and fragrant nose with notes of toasty oak and fresh fruit aromas. Layered and textured palate. Tasty finish. Alc 13.2%
Austria
Sattlerhof, Ried Kranachberg Sauvignon Blanc, Südsteiermark, Steiermark 2020
Silver, 93 points
Inviting, with hints of nettle, green asparagus, lemon zest and tropical fruit leading to a palate of grapefruit, smoke and spice. Alc 13.5%
Brazil
Vinicola Villa Santa Maria, Brandina Sauvignon Blanc, Serra da Mantiqueira 2021
Silver, 91 points
Grapefruit pith driven nose with fresh herbal aromas and jalapeño nuances. Fresh and expressive, with minty flavours and dry finish. Alc 13.4%
Canada
Peller Estates, Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario – Niagara Peninsula 2020
Gold, 95 points
Fume style, with an inviting nose of toasty oak and baking spice leading on to a textured palate of citrus curd, herbaceous black currant leaf, tropical notes and very well judged oak. Alc 13.8%
Chile
Morandé, Seleccion De Viñedos Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley 2022
Value Gold, 95 points
A burst of pink grapefruit spritz combines beautifully with a salty mineral and woodsmoke elegance; serious and focussed with a decandent spine of acidity. Mouthwatering! Alc 13%
Croatia
Galić, Sauvignon Blanc, Slavonija, Continental 2022
Value Gold, 95 points
This is an exemplary cooler-climate Sauvignon. It’s quite complex with a bright beam of flickering acidity and has a superb varietal character and a very long and elegant, mineral finish. Absolutely delicious! Alc 13.5%
France
Jean-Max Roger, Grand Chemarin, Sancerre, Loire 2018
Gold, 95 points
Beautifully evolved grassy and honeyed aromatics with a tempting grapefruit acidity, an exemplary texture and an impressively long finish. Stylish and taut with further ageing potential. Alc 13.5%
Germany
Weinhaus Reh Kendermann, Black Tower Club Edition Sauvignon Blanc, Pfalz 2022
Value Gold, 95 points
Graceful notes of gooseberry, grapefruit, kiwi and lime zest with a sweet floral lift and a crisp, vivacious texture. Very long and flinty and incredible value. Alc 12.5%
Greece
Ktima Biblia Chora, Pangeon, Macedonia 2022
Silver, 93 points
Gooseberry, guava, and sea salt spray aromas and flavours are well integrated in a full-bodied style with a long finish. Alc 13.5%
Italy
Tiefenbrunner, Rachtl , Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2020
Silver, 93 points
Lifted lemon, satsuma and smoky mineral aromas with clean, precise acidity and a lovely concentration; long and fresh. Alc 13.5%
Japan
Manns Wines, Solaris Chikumagawa Sauvignon Blanc, Nagano, Chubu 2021
Gold, 95 points
Crisp and aromatic, with firm leafy, tomato plant aromas and some salinity. Gentle floral and limes notes with lemongrass nuances. Delicate and refined, smoky finish. Alc 13%
New Zealand
Rapaura Springs, Bull Paddock Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Dillons Point, Marlborough 2022
Gold, 96 points
Abundant peach, guava, lemon and lime soar across the bed of fresh herbs giving complexity to the silky, mouthfilling palate. Serious and searching with a long finish. Alc 13.5%
North Macedonia
Tikves Winery, Barovo White, Tikvesh, Povardarje 2022
Silver, 90 points
Pear, apple, passionfruit and melon aromatics and flavours are followed by a lingering, citrusy finish. Good drinking. Alc 14%
Romania
Jidvei, Owner’s Choice Ana Sauvignon Blanc, Târnave, Transylvania 2022
Silver, 90 points
Very fresh aromas of currant leaf with hints of stone fruit, elderflower and mineral undertones. Lively acidity on the palate. Alc 12%
Serbia
Matijašević Vinogradi, Sovinoa Fumé Blanc, Oplenac, Šumadija-Great Morava 2021
Gold, 95 points
Enticing peach, gooseberry, grapefruit, citrus and oaky aromatics. The palate is complex with notes of stone fruit and lemongrass set against a briney streak of minerality. Persistent finish, too. Be ready to swoon! Alc 14%
Slovenia
Ptujska, Pullus Sauvignon, Štajerska Slovenija, Podravje 2022
Value Gold, 95 points
A superb wine with fine tropical aromas of kiwi and mango, plus green pea and herbal highlights in the mouth. A real bargain with a long, crisp finish. Alc 13%
South Africa
Diemersdal Wine Estate, The Journal Sauvignon Blanc , Durbanville, Cape Town 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Beguiling multi-layered aromas of elderflower, herbaceous verbena, white peach and apricot with a gorgeous mouthcoatingly taut ruby grapefruit core and a fresh line of salty acidity. Incredibly well-defined and refreshing with a long, vivid finish. Alc 13.5%
Switzerland
Domaine De La Bolliattaz, Grand Cru Sauvignon, Lavaux, Vaud 2021
Silver, 90 points
Smoky, green tea flavours combine with delicate floral, cardamom undertones and a peppery, spiced pear finish. Long and refreshing. Alc 13.5%
United States
Clos du Val, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California 2021
Platinum, 97 points
Heavenly ripe lime, grapefruit and ginger shrouded in herbaceous fennel and nettle aromatics and underpinned by a supremly fresh mineral character. Layered with enriching oak and structure, the fine vein of acidity cuts through perfectly. Utterly fabulous. Alc 13.5%
