MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON SHORTAGES
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world’s most popular wines. It was first produced over 40 years ago and this crisp, dry, unoaked, fresh and fruity wine style was welcomed by UK consumers.
Today, more than five million glasses of Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc are enjoyed worldwide every day, however demand is unlikely to be met in 2021 due to an exceptionally small harvest.
New Zealand has reported a 19% drop in grape crop for the 2021 vintage. The extreme spring frosts significantly impacted yields following an earlier-than-normal budburst due to the near-drought conditions in the three months leading up to the 2021 harvest. This has had a detrimental effect on white grape varieties in Marlborough.
Winegrowers in Marlborough are facing a perfect storm of reduced supply, increased production costs and ongoing labour shortages, due to the pandemic. However, the excitement about the herbaceous wine continues to grow, and with supply limited, meeting global demand for New Zealand sauvignon is not achievable and, where it is available, prices are high.
MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON ALTERNATIVE
South Africa is a great place to look for an alternative to New Zealand for Sauvignon Blanc as it has similar annual rainfall levels to Marlborough. Cool climate areas south of Cape Town are acquiring reputations for varieties like sauvignon.
Our recommendation for an accessible but inexpensive alternative to Marlborough sauvignon is South Island ‘kiwi Style’ Sauvignon Blanc.
SOUTH ISLAND ‘KIWI STYLE’ SAUVIGNON BLANC
Top-flight juice from the wonderful 2021 South African vintage. From the cool climate of Breede River Valley, this ‘kiwi style’ sauvignon is a good alternative to the New Zealand one.
