Lock, stock and wine barrel: Sauvignon Blanc on the rise

Sauvignon Blanc, with its fruit-driven character, lights up warm evenings and if you’re a fan of the varietal there’s some good news.

Tokara’s new winemaker has released the first ever Tokara Sauvignon Blanc. Stuart Botha joined the Stellenbosch wine estate last year, so seeing him shake up releases so early on is a good thing.

This brazen act delivers a unique side of Tokara’s vineyards in Stellenbosch and Elgin. The wine has melon, apple and lemongrass in the forefront – typical flavours from the cooler Elgin side of the farm.

From the Stellenbosch side, tropical fruit notes are more apparent and there’s splashes of granadilla. White wines are often paired with seafood, but Botha suggests Tokara Sauvignon Blanc 2018 holds its own against a light prawn curry. The wine pairs equally well with mild butter chicken. It has a great tang that balances the richness of this food.

Last week, De Grendel’s Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2017 and 2013 were awarded double gold medals at the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards. Again, it’s due to attention to detail.

Grapes for the De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc are picked riper and receive longer skin contact resulting in a fuller and richer wine than the average Sauvignon Blanc.

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