The 9 Best Sauvignon Blanc in the World to Drink Now in 2025
A grape variety that most wine experts believe originated in the Loire Valley, Sauvignon Blanc takes its name from the French words sauvage and blanc which translate to “wild” and “white.” It’s thought that this nomenclature probably resulted from the fact that the vine looks quite unkempt when left untrained, yet other scholars believe that the wild side of the name comes from the wine’s characteristic aromas. Not that anyone knew this when the variety was named, but the aromas spring from naturally occurring compounds called “methoxpyrazines” and/or “thiols” (specifically 4-methyl-4-mercaptopentan-2-1, a byproduct of fermentation), which together give the wine “green,” Bell pepper, jalapeño, grassy, and sometimes unpleasant “cat box” odors.
Shifting to the pleasant attributes of wines made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, we can also find delightful aromas and flavors of freshly chopped green herbs, recently mowed grass, green apple, lemon, melon, grapefruit, lime, mango, guava, and other exotic fruits depending upon where the grapes are grown.
Sauvignon Blancs are very popular today because of their light, fruity, acidic, and refreshing nature. In fact, the most popular white wine among Australians is Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, which we are sure irks Aussie winemakers to no end. Sauvignon Blanc tends to be very popular in the United States as well. New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs and especially those from Marlborough are very much in fashion at seaside resorts and yachts on both coasts of the country. Sauvignon Blanc, whether from New Zealand, South Africa, California, or Europe is a perfect warmer weather pour, so it’s a natural go-to as the mercury climbs. Sauvignon Blanc also pairs perfectly with warm weather foods like salads and seafood including scallops, sushi, mussels, and shrimp. It also goes great with tangy sheep’s milk cheeses like French chèvre or Greek feta. You can serve it with green salads dressed with tangy vinaigrette or with tomato Caprese salad. Here are the nine best Sauvignon Blancs from around the world to drink now.
Our Best Sauvignon Blanc Picks
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Best Overall Sauvignon Blanc: Animo by Michael Mondavi 2021 Heritage Sauvignon Blanc
Image Credit: Michael Mondavi Family Estate Legendary winemaker Michael Mondavi and his son Rob Jr. chose the name “animo” from the Italian word for “soul” because they believe it represents the true spirit of vineyards that consistently produce excellent quality grapes to make exceptional wines. We have visited this stunning vineyard with Michael and can tell you it’s a very special place. Their 2021 Heritage Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of nectarine, acacia blossom, white peach, and a lifted whiff of vanilla that leads to balanced acidity with flavors of key lime pie, acacia honey, blood orange, and honeydew melon.
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Best Loire Pouilly-Fumé Sauvignon Blanc: Ladoucette 2022 Baron de L Pouilly Fumé
Image Credit: Ladoucette The Comte Lafond and Ladoucette families have been one of the largest owners of Pouilly-Fumé vineyards since the property was purchased from the illegitimate daughter of Louis XV in 1787. The owner since 1972 has been Baron Patrick de Ladoucette, a direct descendant of Count Lafond. His Baron de L Pouilly Fumé has delightful aromas of Cavaillon melon, white peach, and passion fruit with balanced acidity and flavors of peach, grapefruit pith, and green apple.
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Best Loire Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc: Domaine Fouassier 2023 Les Chasseignes Sancerre
Image Credit: Domaine Fouassier One of the oldest winemaking families in the village of Sancerre, the Fouassiers have been plying their trade for 10 generations now in the Loire Valley. Cousins Paul and Benoit are the latest to take the reins and have been instrumental in the estate’s conversion to biodynamic and organic farming over the last 15 years. Their Les Chasseignes Sancerre has aromas of acacia honey, white citrus blossoms, and pink grapefruit pith with flavors of peach, mandarin zest, saline, and wet river rock.
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Best Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc: Lail 2022 Georgia Sauvignon Blanc
Image Credit: Lail Owner Robin Daniel Lail’s father John Daniel Jr. was the owner of Inglenook from 1936 until it was sold in 1964. She can trace her family winemaking history back to her great-granduncle Captain Gustav Niebaum and to this day Robin continues in the family tradition. Her 2022 Georgia Sauvignon Blanc is a force to be reckoned with. It has ethereal aromas of mandarin pith, grapefruit zest, lemongrass, and Fuji apple with delightful balanced acidity and flavors of Anjou pear, green herbs, and white peach.
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Best Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc: Stonestreet Estate Vineyards 2022 Aurora Point Sauvignon Blanc Alexander Valley
Image Credit: Stonestreet Winery Chris and Ariel Jackson are the current stewards of a stunning 5,300-acre plot of mountain top land that was established by Chris’s parents Jess Stonestreet Jackson and Barbara Banke in 1995. It boasts more than 150 small vineyard plots each with different elevations and soil types. Their 2022 Aurora Point Sauvignon Blanc is made from perfect grapes that take advantage of their ideal terroir. It is straw colored with brilliant gold and green reflections in the glass and has aromas of clementine, wet river rock, and a whiff of ripe mango. Elegant mouthfeel and sturdy minerality support flavors of passion fruit, guava, pink grapefruit, and white peach.
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Best Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc: Jonata 2021 Flor Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley
Image Credit: Jonata Jonata wines come by their cult appeal for good reason. It doesn’t hurt that the man behind the winery, Stan Kroenke, also owns Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley and Domaine Bonneau du Martray in Burgundy. The winemaking team, which consistently turns out quality offerings has another great one with their 2021 Flor Sauvignon Blanc, which has aromas of chamomile flower, lime zest, and white citrus blossoms that transition to balanced acidity and zesty flavors of lime, lemon curd, and grapefruit peel in the palate.
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Best Italian Sauvignon Blanc: Fontodi 2023 Meriggio Sauvignon Blanc
Image Credit: Fontodi Fontodi resides in Panzano in the center of the Chianti Classico region. It has been owned by the Manetti family since 1968, and they have been well known in the area much longer for their production of terra cotta tiles. The certified organic estate comprises 320 acres with 172 under vine, and their Meriggio Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of freshly cut herbs, lemon zest, and peach. It has bracing acidity with flavors of grapefruit, honeysuckle, and white peach.
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Best Austrian Sauvignon Blanc: Johannes Zillinger 2021 Numen Fume Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
Image Credit: Johannes Zillinger Johannes Zillinger’s bottles are well known among drinkers whose taste skews towards organic and biodynamic. He has been making quality wines in Burgenland, Austria for more than 40 years and uses pigs, sheep, and chickens to graze and manage the crop cover growing between the vines. He also specifically planted trees and bushes to block winds and help create a natural microclimate perfect for the cultivation of Sauvignon Blanc grapes. His 2021 Numen has aromas of freshly made apple sauce, honeysuckle, and white peach that transition to flavors of apricot, caramelized orange peel, and peach in the mid palate.
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Best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc: Clos Henri 2020 Stones Sauvignon Blanc
Image Credit: Clos Henri The family estate of Henri Bourgeois, located Chavignol, France, is currently in its 10th generation of winemaking, but forward-looking family members decided to plant vines more than 20 years ago and make wine in Marlborough, New Zealand. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc that has a French backbone but a wild New Zealand sense of adventure. Representing the winery’s 20th anniversary vintage, the 2020 Stones underwent spontaneous fermentation and was fermented older oak barrels. It has aromas of lime zest, white peach, and freshly chopped parsley that transition to flavors of pineapple, peach, and grapefruit pith in the palate.
