Sauvignon all our love for Kiwi wines

SPRING frosts and summer droughts in the months leading up to New Zealand's 2021 sauvignon blanc harvest badly affected production. By some estimates, it was down around 30% in the world’s second largest producer of the popular white wine - after France - with several million fewer cases than normal.

- by Matt Nixson

Thankfully, production has bounced back but, while Kiwi sauvignon blanc in all its vibrant citrus-driven glory is rightly one of the world’s most popular whites, there's plenty more on offer from the New World producer.

New Zealand's maritime climate - the combination of long sunny days and cool nights - means grapes ripen well but retain plenty of acidity.

The country is also exposed to higher levels of ultraviolet light which, some studies suggest, helps ripen grapes without excessive heat - helping to keep the fresh acidity.