Varietal Focus: BC Sauvignon Blanc

Not a lot of Sauvignon Blanc is grown in BC, it certainly isn't a signature grape of the Province's wine regions... any of them. That doesn't mean there aren't some absolutely fabulous versions of the ancient varietal on option.

There is no one definitive style of BC Sauvignon Blanc. Some showcase the pungent, or, pleasantly stinky characteristics of the varietal while others focus more on clean, crisp expressions of acidic and mouth-watering fruit. 

Here is a list of our favourite Sauvignon Blanc, year-in, year-out, grouped by style:

Pungent

Fairview Cellars 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - $22
A pleasantly pungent and boisterous vintage of Sauvignon Blanc with aromas and flavours of gooseberries, grapefruit, crab apple, stone fruit, and grass. This Sauvignon Blanc has body and a corpulent, complex texture with layers of fruit peaking through tart tinges of citrus acidity and crisp, mineral notes.
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River Stone Estate Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - $22
Subtler, on the pleasantly pungent nose than recent, more aromatic vintages, the 2018 edition of Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from a neighboring property in Oliver, keeps with the house style of a punchy mixture of herbs, citrus zest and tropical fruit.
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Clean'n'Crisp

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - $25
Opens with a subtle, Loire-esque scented nose with a focus more on fresh, fleshy fruit and rounded savoury aromas than the more in-your-face, pungent, New Zealand style of Sauvignon Blanc. This subtlety is juxtaposed by a bracing wave of Champagne-worthy acidity on the otherwise, similarly flavoured palate where added notes of herbs, spice, minerals and lemon zest add complexity.
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Bench 1775 Winery 2017 Estate Sauvignon Blanc - $26
This new release leans more towards the Loire Valley in profile when compared to the multi-site blends of previous vintages. Less pungency and more laser-focused fruit and minerality, though, a touch of exotic fruit shows on the otherwise, stonefruit and citrusy-peach flavoured finish.
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Somewhere In-between

La Frenz Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - $22
A balanced, well-constructed Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of pungency on the nose but primarily a showcase for how nicely citrus and melon fruit can coexist. The palate is bright and lip-smacking with just a hint of residual sugar on the lightly savoury and effervescent finish. Ready to be enjoyed in its youth.
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Winemaker's Cut 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - $26

A single vineyard cuvée sourced from Oliver, explores textural layers on its crisp, mineraly and fruity palate and offers a subtle, delicate medley of citrus, tropical and orchard fruit aromas on the nose. Slightly dialed back from the extravagant 2017 edition, though, likely more accessible to the more casual fans of this pungent varietal.

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- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

News: May Celebrates Sauvignon Blanc with New Zealand Winegrowers

From BCLDB's press release:

BRITISH COLUMBIA – New Zealand Winegrowers is pleased to return to British Columbia for another exciting promotion of wines from New Zealand in BC Liquor Stores throughout the month of May, 2018. 60 government liquor stores will feature New Zealand wines on shelves for the entire month, accompanied by 12 free in-store tasting events which encourage consumers to get to know New Zealand wines on an intimate level. Additionally, Vancouverites will have the opportunity to taste through these featured wines alongside scrumptious food bites on May 4th at a grand consumer event (no charge and no purchase necessary) at the new Park Royal Signature BC Liquor Store on International Sauvignon Blanc Day with delicious canapés to complement the wines, crafted by Chef Chris Whittaker of Vancouver’s Forage restaurant.

Throughout the month of May, a dozen wines from New Zealand (see next page for wine details) will be promoted within 60 BC Liquor Stores throughout the British Columbia. Select participating stores will further focus the spotlight on these wines, hosting in-store tasting events during two days on every weekend of the month, each offering a guided tasting of 3 different wines for shoppers to taste (see next page for tasting schedule).

May 4th is International Sauvignon Blanc Day, and Sauvignon Blanc is a grape variety that always prompts New Zealand to the front-of-mind. As such, it only seems natural that New Zealand Winegrowers is hosting a spectacular event that features all 12 wines on promotion – wines which showcase the unique terroirs and styles of various regions and grape varieties from several of the country’s diverse growing regions. Vancouver’s much-awarded Forage restaurant is creating locally-sourced canapés, each crafted to enhance the flavours in these signature wines, while knowledgeable Sommeliers guide attendees through a unique tasting adventure. This promises to be an afternoon to remember, and all are welcome to attend, no purchase necessary.

This event is free of charge and open to the public, no reservations required:

Park Royal Signature BC Liquor Store, Vancouver

Friday, May 4th, 2017   4 – 7pm         

It has been said that there is no wine anywhere in the world that tastes like wine from New Zealand. These are stylish, exciting wines that surprise and delight. New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc was the explosive varietal that awoke the world to New Zealand wine and Pinot noir from New Zealand offers old world structure and elegance with new world power and intensity.

International Sauvignon Blanc Day on Friday, May 5th

On the heels of World Malbec Day comes the lesser promoted (in the BC market, anyway) International Sauvignon Blanc Day on Friday, May 5th. To mark the occasion and the celebrate one of my personal favourite varieties, I offer a selection of Sauvignon Blanc to seek out and enjoy. Not all of the selections are of the current vintages available, but each is a consistent producer, from year to year.

Nederburg Wines 2015 Winemaster's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc - $13

Pungent and refreshing on the nose with fresh oyster minerality and sodium. Tangy gooseberry, crisp citrus and green apple flavours blend nicely on the sharp, mouth-watering palate. A touch of citrus peel and spice lingers on the moderate finish.

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Sileni Estates 2016 Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc - $18

The 2016 offers greater balance than recent vintages thanks to a more perceptible layer of lees and baked orchard fruit notes beneath the prominent citrus and mineral characters on the stonefruit-infused nose and textured palate.

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Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2015 Sauvignon Blanc - $19

A supremely refreshing, low-alcohol Sauvignon Blanc produced from 8-10 year old vines using a wild yeast ferment and minimal oak contact: a clean, pure expression of the French variety. Opens with a with a mellow nose of citrus fruit and Jazz apple aromas and the faint smell of oak and briny seashells. An intense, citrus and mineral-infused palate follows sporting a fairly full mouth-feel with hints of herbs and lemon peel through to the long finish.

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Jackson Estate 2011 "Stich" Sauvignon Blanc - $20

This wine wins with its excellent balance of citrus acidity and light residual sugar on the rich, concentrated palate of gooseberry, kiwi fruit and mineral flavours. The finish is impressively long for this price point with lingering, mouth-watering lemon-lime peel notes and just a hint of spice.

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Fairview Cellars 2013 Sauvignon Blanc - $20

The nose of this Sauvignon Blanc doesn't appear until the wine has warmed in the glass, which many of us won't wait to experience. If you do, it's a nose fuelled by apples, citrus and stonefruit aromas.Instead, we'll enjoy this tasty wine, with our favourite seafood dish or a hard cheese plate and appreciate the multitudes of textures on the palate.

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La Frenz Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc - $22

Tangy citrus, ripe papaya and sea shells grace the nose of this boisterous Sauvignon Blanc from Naramata Bench produce La Frenz Winery who, through past success, have become one of the most consistent producers of the French variety. The palate's flavour profile, which ranges from lemon/lime to green apple to stonefruit to brioche, benefits from selective blending from multiple fruit sources and prolonged lees contact creating mouth feel and a long finish.

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Le Vieux Pin 2015 Sauvignon Blanc - $30

A complex, finely tuned, rich-yet-refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with ample layers of tropical fruit, herbals, minerals and lees on the delicate nose and medium-bodied palate. The finish is long and richly textured with lingering citrus peel and level, spice notes.

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Bench 1775 Winery 2011 Whistler Sauvignon Blanc Icewine - $30

Produced under Bench 1775's 'Whistler' brand, this tasty 100% Sauvignon Blanc icewine delivers an impressive punch of concentrated, honey crisp apples on the serene, sweet-smelling nose and on the well-balanced, intense palate. The sticky, pineapple upside-down cake and candied-peach flavours are beautifully managed with impressive, green apple acidity keeping the gooey texture fresh and mouth-watering.

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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Best of BC: Sauvignon Blanc

BC Sauvignon Blanc has been good for a long time, however, only a handful of producers were giving the Loire Valley grape the proper attention to detail it deserves. This has changed over the past few years and therefore, we're happy to include it in our Best of BC section.

Also included are Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blends as this effortless pairing has helped popularize the tangy-stinky variety around the world.

Calliope Wines 2014 Sauvignon Blanc - $17
Pleasantly pungent, at first sniff, with fresh grass and baked lemon aromas supported by honey-crisp apple flesh and green apple skin notes. The (mostly) dry palate follows with citrus and apple-pear flavours and a fine vein of lime rind acidity and light, steely-mineral notes. Refreshing, crisp and memorable; excellent value.
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Stag's Hollow Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc - $17
A partially oaked (20% in 2nd fill French oak barrels), cool fermented Sauvignon Blanc with a lovely, graceful nose of tropical and citrus fruit, peach skins, cranberry scones and light grass aromas. A dry, vibrant palate follows with a nice combination of mouth-watering, citrus acidity and rich, textured flavours of passion fruit, apples, ripe peaches and lees.
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Maverick Estate Winery 2014 Sauvignon Blanc - $19
A boisterous, fruit'n'acid driven Sauvignon Blanc with underlying fullness from rich, ripe apple and pear flavours and a touch of residual sugar. Refreshing, tangy citrus, light minerals, savoury wild herb and light lees characters add depth and complexity. The finish is long and well balanced with lingering spice and grapefruit peel notes. Has the structure and balance to hold for several years.
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Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars 2014 Sauvignon Blanc - $19
An intense Loire Valley-styled Sauvignon Blanc with a kiss of subtle oak supporting a mouth-watering profile of lemon zest, minerals and grapefruit aromas and flavours. The palate opens with a fairly full-ish mouth-feel with some hints of herbs, until waves of citrus and minerals liven things up and take over though to a moderate finish where citrus peel lingers. 
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Fairview Cellars 2013 Sauvignon Blanc - $20
The nose of this Sauvignon Blanc doesn't appear until the wine has warmed in the glass, which many of us won't wait to experience. If you do, it's a nose fuelled by apples, citrus and stonefruit aromas.Instead, we'll enjoy this tasty wine, with our favourite seafood dish or a hard cheese plate and appreciate the multitudes of textures on the palate.
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Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2014 Sauvignon Blanc - $22
Nearing Fumé Blanc levels of richness on the delicious, blanketed nose of tropical fruit, ripe pear, lemon grass, sweet sage and crisp minerals. The palate is richly textured with sweet layers of orchard fruit flavours and others of lean, minerals and mouth-watering citrus acidity. The balance on the long finish sways ever-so-slightly towards sour. A touch of spice lingers through to the next sip.
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Black Hills Estate Winery 2014 Alibi - $25
A blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon.delicious? Opens with a fruity nose of ripe, apricot, nectarine and white peach aromas; you want to jump into the glass and take a bite! The palate follows through on that desire offering up juicy, sweet orchard fruit flavours with a solid backbone of citrus acidity and minerals balancing out the fruit.
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Bench 1775 Winery 2014 Sauvignon Blanc - $25
Has the rawness and funk of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and the minerality and acidity of those from the Loire Valley. Delivers the 4 Gs of Sauvignon Blanc expertly: gooseberry, grapefruit, grass and gravitas. Add in some cool, river stone and warm, tropical fruit elements and you're left with a winner of a wine that can be enjoyed on its own or as a confident companion to seafood dishes.
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Le Vieux Pin 2015 Sauvignon Blanc - $30
The devil is in the details and this excellent Sauvignon Blanc is sinfully good. Each vintage is an exploration of the art of blending with the 2015 being sourced from vineyards in both the Southern Okangan and Similkameen valleys and separate lots using a range of fermentation vessels from stainless steel vats to neutral, oak barrels and even a kiss of new French oak.
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