Sauvignon Blanc Fatigue

"Cat's Pee": a typical aroma of Sauvignon Blanc

Have you, like me, become fed up of Sauvignon Blanc? Or are you perhaps curious to try something different that might offer you similar satisfaction? 

If the answer is yes, here follows a list of off-piste wines that should tickle your tastebuds. We’re talking zippy, citrusy, refreshing whites – just the thing we want to drink on sunny afternoons…

Gruner Veltliner 

Austria’s second most planted grape variety (behind Riesling, of course) is one of my favourite white wines. For a long time this grape was unknown in the UK, partly because the Austrians drank most of it themselves. But thanks to its success in the US (the Americans have nicknamed it “Gru-V”), export numbers are up. Its increasing popularity has led to plantings now appearing in New Zealand (yes, even the Kiwi winemakers are getting bored of Sauvignon Blanc)! Style-wise, young Gruner Veltliner is spritzy in style, full of citrus fruit, lettuce leaves, green peas and white pepper. It’s particularly delicious when served alongside Wiener Schnitzel (an excellent hangover cure I discovered on a trip to Vienna). 

Albarino/Alvarinho/Vinho Verde

Apologies for the catch-all heading, but the Albarino grape is grown in north-western Spain and also just over the border in Portugal where it is often used in blends in the increasingly popular Vinho Verde. The former can be quite pricey whereas the latter is still incredible value (so stock up while you can). If you’ve been on holiday to Portugal, you’ve no doubt experienced this wonderful wine and you’ll be delighted to know it seems to be creeping onto our supermarket shelves back home. This is a fresh, vibrant white wine that you can imagine drinking at sunset with the local Portuguese barbecued fish. 

Picpoul de Pinet

The name Picpoul translates locally as “lip-stinger”, and it is one of the best value zingy white wines that France can offer at the moment. From the Languedoc region, this wine is full of wonderful lemony freshness - you can imagine cracking this open at the seaside alongside an enormous seafood platter. 

Txakoli (pronounced “cha-ko-lee”)

A bone-dry white wine from the Basque region of Spain, this has a touch of spritz and a deliciously mineral finish so it’s not surprising that London wine lists are picking it up. The main grapes in this wine are the local Hondarribi Zuria and Hondarribi Beltza, but I wouldn’t expect you to remember that, just keep your eyes peeled for it as the perfect accompaniment to fish or vegetarian tapas. 

Assyrtiko

I do feel we should support the Greeks right now, and what better way than by buying their delicious wines. Yes, it’s not all about Retsina (although even THAT is getting better)! Assyrtiko was originally planted in Santorini and produces bone-dry whites with citrus aromas mixed with an earthy, mineral aftertaste due to the local volcanic soil. 

Happy Swigging!