From the Cape: Distinctive and Refined
Get it right, and Sauvignon is nothing short of a showstopper
Sauvignon Blanc can be loud. Really loud. A vegetal attack meets a tropical fruit bomb – all at once, all upfront. But it can be different, too: cool, precise, salty-mineral, with fine acidity and a clear sense of place. No nation shows this better than South Africa.
In Vinum’s latest global tasting, over 80 Sauvignon Blancs from around the world were put to the test. Many were loud, some forgettable. And right in the middle of it all: South Africa. With wines that prove just how great this grape can be – if you let it.
Two wines, two styles – both outstanding
Two South African wines made it into the top five – and that says more than any theory:
1st Place: Reyneke Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Stellenbosch – 96 points
Biodynamic, full of character, with depth and finesse. This wine isn’t a loud fruit bomb – it’s more of a quiet observer with presence. Precise acidity, subtle grip on the palate, long finish – Sauvignon for the seasoned drinker.
5th Place: Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2022, Durbanville – 94 points
A completely different style: fresher, cooler, more open. Juicy, crisp, inviting. A wine that practically asks you to pour a second glass – and rightly so. Because it can.
No copy-paste Sauvignon here
What makes South Africa so strong? Its range. From easy-drinking “party wines” (in the best possible sense!) to finely tuned food companions – it’s all there. Sometimes ripe and generous, sometimes crisp and taut. And often at half the price of comparable European wines.
Add to that: you can taste where they come from. The cool Atlantic breeze, the stony soils, the winemakers’ appetite for experimentation. If you’re a Sauvignon fan, this is a place you could get wonderfully lost in – and never look back.
The perfect summer wine.
Anything else?
At the 2023 Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, South Africa picked up an impressive 56 medals – 26 of them gold. Two wines even won special awards. Enough said.
Conclusion
South African Sauvignon Blancs are like great conversations – sometimes challenging, sometimes charming, sometimes surprisingly deep. But boring? Never.
All prices in CHF incl. VAT. Daily price as of 01.07.2025. Offers valid while stocks last. Errors and price changes reserved.
