Best Sauvignon Blanc for drinking now

From high elevation vineyards, where yields are kept down and the grapes are hand-picked. This features crisply-scented lemon and bell pepper aromas with a hint of apricot. It's really well balanced in the mouth, the succulent but saline citrus fruit backed up by richer hints of stone fruit and tangerine, alongside a layer of wafting herbs. Very elegant.

Always one of Marlborough’s top Sauvignon Blancs, made by former Cloudy Bay winemaker Kevin Judd. It has gentle tropical and citrus aromas and flavours, and the complex layers mean that each sip reveals a little more. A very stylish wine.

The family domaine of Hubert Brochard is located in Chavignol and consistently produces top quality Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. This has pure, mouthwatering acidity, with flavours of grapefruit and quince, and cleansing mineral flavours on the finish.

The fruit for this brilliant, food friendly Sauvignon Blanc comes from south-facing slopes at the top of the property, grown on decomposed Table Mountain granite. It has a bright, glinting colour and punchy aromatics, while on the palate there’s plenty of citrus, gooseberry and guava. There's a nice harmony of gentle weight and texture, with tensile, tingling acidity to excite and delight. It's mineral, dry, pure and flinty, with a very long and classy finish.

This is exactly what Touraine Sauvignon should be: refreshing, zesty, aromatic - and all for under a tenner. The palate is unpretentious, with grassy and gooseberry characters and enough depth to leave you wanting more. This is the perfect wine to have on standby in your fridge, and I'd drink it any day over similarly priced Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc.

From producer Brent Maris, this shows classic varietal characters of tangy nettles, hints of passion fruit and a fresh spine of acidity. As a magnum you could age it for a bit, but best to enjoy now at your next alfresco gathering. New Zealand is doing great things with Chardonnay, Riesling and other 'alternative' whites, but there's no doubt Sauvignon Blanc – especially from Marlborough – is a perennial crowd pleaser. And what better than a magnum at a great price?