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Discover the must-taste Sauvignon Blancs of 2026. Top picks from New Zealand and Australia, classic French Sauvignon to suit any budget, and more.
With its aromas of freshly mown hay and ripe tropical fruits, Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most recognisable white wines in the world. It’s been said of some of the more expressive examples from New Zealand that “you can tell when someone opens a bottle next door!”
Sauvignon Blanc’s distinctive character has certainly done no harm to its popularity. It’s one of the world’s most popular white grapes, grown in pretty much every wine-producing country. With so much choice available, how do you choose the right Sauvignon Blanc for your budget? And what should you look for in a good one?
Read on to find the answers, with recommendations for the best Sauvignon Blanc at every price point, from under $20 up to over $40 a bottle. After all, sometimes you deserve to spoil yourself.

What to look for in a great Sauvignon Blanc wine
The great thing about Sauvignon Blanc is that, although it can vary in style, it always has a set of distinctive characteristics. It’s originally from France’s Loire Valley – where it is found in the region’s flagship white Sancerre. But these days it is equally associated with New Zealand – especially Marlborough – home to such hallowed names as Cloudy Bay and Hunter’s Wines. Sancerre sets the template for classic ‘Old World’ Sauvignon Blanc. Key characteristics to look out for are herbal aromas, restrained yet intense citrus and tropical fruit, and a steely backbone of minerality. Marlborough sets the template for the more modern style. Look out for leap-from-the-glass aromas and an explosion of tropical fruit flavours – balanced by a freshness that sets you up perfectly for the next sip.
Many Sauvignon Blanc wines sit somewhere between these two stylistic extremes. And in fact, some of the best examples these days come from our own cool-climate Adelaide Hills vineyards. So, with all that in mind – let’s look at some actual Sauvignon Blanc wines that deliver the absolute best in flavour and value – at every price point.
The best Sauvignon Blanc for under $20
30 Mile Sauvignon, Australia For top-value it’s hard to beat our own home-grown Savvy B – especially when it’s made by John ‘Johnny Q’ Quarisa. A larger-than-life character, he named this white after his favourite swimming spot – pretty appropriate we think, because it’s as refreshing as a dip in the pool on a sunny day!
Caravan Sauvignon Blanc, Australia The label on this cracking Aussie Sauvignon tells you all you need to know about Johnny Q’s winemaking philosophy. It shows a caravan parked on the lawn of a grand château, because you don’t need a fancy estate to make great wine. Just quality grapes and top skills in the cellar.
The best Sauvignon Blanc for under $30
Abbesse Sauvignon Blanc, Vin de France Abbesse is the perfect introduction to the classic French style of Sauvignon Blanc. It’s made by the Bougrier family, who have close contacts with growers throughout the Loire. By combining grapes from different regions, they achieve the perfect balance of ripe fruit and crisp minerality.
Sunday Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough Sunday Bay is one of our most-re-ordered Sauvignons, and for good reason. It’s made by Phil and Chris Rose, who were among the first to plant grapes in New Zealand’s famous Marlborough region. You’ll love its exuberant grapefruit and grassy nettle character and bright citrus zip.
Avera Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills The cool heights of Australia’s Adelaide Hills are perfect for bringing out the aromatic qualities of Sauvignon Blanc. The most famous example is Shaw & Smith, but there are plenty of other great names to look out for. Avera is a cracking example – nicely balanced and super-refreshing.
The best Sauvignon Blanc for under $40
Small Wonder Landscape Series Sauvignon Blanc, Tasmania Tasmania makes up less than 1% of Australia’s vineyards but, as Decanter notes, “that hasn’t muffled the huge buzz surrounding its cool-climate potential.” This breezy organic Sauvignon from the Small Wonder winery has tangy gooseberry flavours, herbal nuances and a note of ginger.
Beklyn Sauvignon Blanc, Currency Creek Currency Creek is a niche winemaking region in the Fleurieu Peninsula, with a cool maritime climate that’s perfect for zesty, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc. Sam Kim of Wine Orbit awards Beklyn Sauvignon an outstanding 94 points, praising its “excellent fruit intensity and vibrancy”.
The best Sauvignon Blanc for over $40
Domaine Daniel Reverdy, Sancerre Sancerre, in France’s Loire valley, is home to some of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blancs. The best typically come from small, independent growers like Reverdy – a tiny, seven-hectare estate in the heart of the region. A very fine white with cut grass, gooseberry and mineral character.
Want to know more about Sauvignon Blanc? Check out our Beginners’ Guide to Sauvignon Blanc to find out all you need to know about this famous white grape – along with some food pairing suggestions to make the most of your next bottle. Enjoy! Shop all Sauvignon Blanc wines
