With the weather warming up, it's time to head outdoors again. Picnics, river tubing, beaches, and barbecues, we cannot wait to fill up our calendars again. Be it the beach or your backyard waiting for the steak to grill the only thing that will do is a glass of chilled white. Here are some of our winners to chill away this summer with.

The London Wine Competition 2021 saw many excellent Sauvignon Blancs come to the front. The judges sniffed, swirled, and tasted their way through all of them and picked out the very best. For the past four years, The London Wine Competition has always seen contenders with state-of-the-art blends, leaving every sommelier and judge impressed. The panel of judges consists of top wine buyers in the UK and master sommeliers and sommeliers. The judges have a keen eye on what wine would work in the retail markets of the United Kingdom and belong on the menus of top restaurants. 

Among the top-shelf wines were a handful of Sauvignon Blancs that impressed the judges on the criteria of quality, value, and packaging. These were the ones that topped that list and should be on yours for the Sauvignon Blancs to cool down with this summer. 

Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Inspired by the coast that surrounds the winery at their home in New Zealand, the Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc was among the best wines on show at the 2021 London Wine Competition. The bouquet of this award-winning wine consists of lifted notes of green apple, lime cordial, passion fruit, and blackcurrant along with underpinned citrus and green herbal tones. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians, the palate consists of pure, concentrated fruit flavors and is very inviting. The finish is deliciously long and crispy. 

The Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc was not only the Best Sauvignon Blanc at the competition but was also the best wine from New Zealand. Truly the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. 

The Lane Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 

The Lane Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is a citrus heavy wine flaunting lemongrass and kaffir lime, like no other. The kaffir lime dominates on the palate and gives this quintessential cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc its textural and mineral finish. It also has notes of guava and passionfruit lingering on the taste. A score of 92 points at the London Wine Competition declared just how good the wine is. 

Du Toitskloof Old Vine 

Du Toitskloof Wines, Source Facebook

The Du Toitskloof Old Vine redefines sauvignon blanc with its gooseberry infusion and is best suited for the harsh summer heat. Scoring a terrific 92 points at the competition, the Du Toitskloof Old Vine awed the judges with its remarkable quality as it also took home the Best in Show by Country award. The wine has aromatics of yellow apple, nectarine, and tropical fruit. Generous notes of oak, vanilla, flint, and hints of herbs on the palate lead to a lingering, crisp finish. Pairs well with freshly caught and prepared cape salmon and Asian influenced food.  

Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

The Moldovian winery Errazuriz has created this beautiful yellow gold-colored Sauvignon Blanc. The 90 points scoring gold-medallist has intense aromas of honey, ripe apricots, almonds, and citrus. In consistency with the nose, aromas of ripe fruits with fresh citrus notes stand out in the mouth. It is a round wine, creamy and very long, very well balanced by refreshing acidity. If you want to taste the best wines from Moldova, the Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc should be right at the top of that list. 

Bird In Hand Sauvignon Blanc 

Hailing from the hills of Adelaide, this is the second Aussie Sauvignon Blanc on this list. The Bird in Hand Sauvignon Blanc shows lifted, fresh and punchy flavors and aromas, underpinned with varietal notes of passion fruit, pineapple, and grapefruit. The fruits are specially sourced from the Onkaparinga Valley to create this luscious wine. Slightly textured on the mid-palate, it has a dry finish, with subtle citrus acidity. The freshness of the wine is owed to harvesting done in the cool of the night. The Bird in Hand Sauvignon Blanc can be enjoyed as an aperitif or can be paired with an oily grilled fish or chargrilled squid. 

Aotea by the Seifried Family Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Seifried Estate, Source Facebook

Made at the Brightwater Vineyard that lies about 15 km from the sea and 10 km from the winery, the exceptional stoniness, and free-draining soils all play a part in making the Aotea by the Seifried Family Sauvignon Blanc. White flesh nectarine, dried hops, and passion fruit flavors come through on the nose. The palate is generous with appealing mineral notes and lingering flavors. Another great example of why New Zealand is amongst the best producers of Sauvignon Blancs. 

Tomich Hill

Tomich Wines, Source Facebook

Handcrafted from the estate-grown fruit from Tomich Wines high altitude, cool climate vineyard, the Tomich Hill Sauvignon Blanc displays a lot of elegance, complexity, and true exhibition of the varietal. The citrus-focused palate comes with tropical fruits and a crisp and persistent finish. A great addition to any summer soirée you would like to throw this year. 

Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc

Catalina Sounds, Source Facebook

Coming from Marlborough, New Zealand, the Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc is made from the fruit sourced from Catalina Sounds vineyard, Sound of White in the Waihopai Valley, vineyards in Fairhall, Renwick, and the central Wairau plain. The fruity aromas, the minerality, and notes of bitter citrus make this one a great summer wine. The Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with a range of seafood dishes, hard cheeses, and crisp green salads. 

Cuatro Rayas Cuarenta Vendimias Sauvignon Blanc

Bodega Cuatro Rayas, Source Facebook

The flagship brand of Spanish winery Bodega Cuatro Rayas produces six wines among which is the Cuatro Rayas Cuarenta Vendimias Sauvignon Blanc. Straw yellow in color with a wide and suggestive nose having a citrus background, it was the finest Sauvignon Blanc at the competition from Spain. Unctuous and balanced on the palate with notes of passion fruit and pineapple, the Cuatro Rayas Cuarenta Vendimias Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with fresh fish, seafood, and risottos. 

Rohan Family Sauvignon Blanc

Rohan Family by Heidrun Estate, Source Facebook

From a winery that truly believes that it's no coincidence that wine is a part of the special memories that people create with those closest to them comes the Rohan Family Sauvignon Blanc. It's no secret that Australia Heidrun Estate Pty Ltd produces wines for special occasions and the Rohan Family Sauvignon Blanc is among their best. Produced in South Australia and bottled at 12.5% ABV, the wine has refreshing aromas of passion fruit, pineapple, and tropical fruits with hints of herbaceous characters. The palate is fresh with tropical fruit and has a lovely acidity. 

Askerne Sauvignon Blanc Semillo Sauvignon Gris

Using the grapes mainly grown on the lower terraces of the Askerne vineyards, the Askerne Sauvignon Blanc Semillo Sauvignon Gris is a blend of the Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and Semillon. This wine is beautifully lifted on the nose showing nectarine, green rockmelon, kaffir lime, and lemon zest characters. The palate delivers lovely fruit intensity and vibrancy, well supported by elegant notes of almond, oatmeal, and spice. A complex rendition offering delightful drinking.

Silverado Vineyards Miller Ranch Sauvignon Blanc

Silverado Vineyards, Source Facebook

The Miller Ranch vineyards where the first vines were planted back in the 1870s are the birthplace of the Silverado Vineyards Miller Ranch Sauvignon Blanc. Nestled between the Napa Valley and Hopper Creek, the cool, silty and deep soils are perfect for aromatic white wines. It has notes of green citrus and melon with bright minerality which make it perfect for a Sauvignon Blanc Margarita and a fish taco recipe. 

Satrico Bianco Lazio IGT

Usually harvested in the first week of September, the Satrico Bianco Lazio IGT retains good acidity because of its harvesting period. Among the winners at the London Wine Competition hailing from Italy, the Satrico Bianco Lazio IGT has an intense and fragrant aroma with hints of sage and nettle. Its fresh taste and good structure make it a great pairing option for seafood risotto and a herb omelet. Get yourself a bottle if you are in the UK. 

Header Image The Lane Vineyard, Source Facebook