02.Sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon blanc is well-known for its bouquet, which can include aromas of freshly cut grass, gooseberries, citrus and melons. The Australian market is dominated by sauvignon blancs from the Marlborough region on New Zealand’s South Island. The top sauvignon blancs selected by our experts had vibrant bouquets, a fruity, complex palate and good length. Arrogant Frog, a French import, rounds out the bottom of our list. Our judges said it had a “reductive pong” as well as an “aluminium aftertaste”. “Sauvignon blanc is the most popular-selling variety in the country, yet there were quite a few wines that were very disappointing,” said judge Andrea Pritzker. “Many showed either a complete lack of concentration or unripe fruit. Considerable amounts of residual sugar were also used to try and disguise this. The best wines showed excellent varietal typicity and great balance.”