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SAUVIGNON BLANC SOUTH
AFRICA (SBSA) IS COMMITTED
TO PROMOTING THE VARIETY’S
DIVERSITY AND EXCELLENCE IN
SOUTH AFRICA
Winemaker of the Year (2010) with a Sauvignon Blanc, Tim Atkin MW included
his 2013 Sauvignon Blanc in an article regarding wooded Sauvignon Blancs of the
world, outscoring eminent names such as Didier Dagueneau, Alphonse Mellot and
Henri Bourgeois.
But why are many Sauvignon Blanc consumers not embracing older wines?
Eksteen: «Sauvignon can be its own worst enemy because of its versatility. It can
produce delicious young wines, released early at lower prices, to fine wines with a
heftier price tag and exceptional ageing potential. However, greater marketing efforts
are needed to inform consumers of its premium potential, and my son, Pieter Willem,
and I, take advantage of every opportunity to do so.»
Louw explains that offering many styles of Sauvignon Blanc in their tasting room in
Durbanville, with a restaurant to explore their wine with food, is helping the consumer
over this hurdle. But, at the same time, big supermarkets, locally and internationally,
cannot stay ahead as the quality improves year on year.
«We need to promote the Cape and its extraordinary sense of place,» says Werner
Muller, advocating Iona’s cool climate in Elgin and opening a 2001 vintage to prove
his point. A wine from the other side of the Cape Peninsula, Cape Point Reserve (92)
reflects the same, affirming that no Sauvignon Blanc vine is planted in vain.
SUMMER 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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