Since 1980, Jacky Gilson has been a grower and winemaker in the tiny, forgotten Burgundy region of Saint-Bris. In fact, the appellation was only created in 2003. It lies just 10 miles west of Chablis and is the only one permitted to use Sauvignon Blanc in its wines. Jacky himself grows both Sauvignon and Aligoté in his 40 hectares of vines, specialising in tantalisingly fresh, pure, crisp whites.
Hard work in the vineyard and minimal intervention in the cellar makes for very pure fruit whites, big on aromatics and with a core of freshness. Aged on its lees for six months, it has roundness too. Chill and enjoy as an apéritif, with garlicky snails or grilled fish. And from such an exceptional vintage, there is no rush with this wine.
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You couldn’t hope to find Sauvignon of this quality for the price in any of the Loire’s more famous regions, like Sancerre or Pouilly. Blended from the year’s tastiest vats, this wine is as subtle and complex as it is refreshing and zingy. It’s made exclusively for us by our trusted friend Franck Chatelain at Noël Bougrier’s renowned cellar in the Touraine. The original Abbesse was one Louise de Bourbon of the nearby Abbaye de Fontevraud and a major figure in Loire history. This delicious expression of the region’s reigning grape, Sauvignon Blanc, is a fitting tribute to her. With its appealing, crisp, lemony fruit and zippy freshness, it’s delicious on its own any time and goes ever so well with goat’s cheese and lighter fish dishes.
New Zealand has been wowing the world with its terrific Sauvignon Blanc whites. It seems wine lovers can’t get enough of it.
This is a refreshingly elegant white from the Holdaway estate in Marlborough. The family started the farm in 1854, buying up land in Wairau and Dillons Point, now two key areas for vines. Their previous vintage was described by Sam Kim in the Wine Orbit as "impressively aromatic" with "excellent concentration, together with terrific fruit purity and vibrancy." And quality in 2021 was even better, so look forward to great tangy-fresh glass. Tasty solo, with seafood, noodles or creamy risotto.
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Dan Parrott devotes every working hour to seeking out wines with impeccable provenance at a great price. Kora comes via the Rose family’s Wairau River estate, set up in 1978. This is crisp, grassy Sauvignon on loud volume!
