Susie & Peter / Podcast Episodes  / Season Seven / Keep Calm and Sauvignon

Subscriber Early Access

Summary

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the wine world’s most divisive grape varieties.

On the one hand, it’s hugely popular for its aromatic charm and upbeat appeal.

And yet some people can’t stand it, sommeliers actively steer their customers away from it and connoisseurs turn their noses up at, ‘the gin and tonic of wine’. 

But is it possible that this is all just a bit, well, premature?

That we’re judging a grape variety that is only just starting to show us what its true potential really is?

And that Sauvignon Blanc really is a grape variety capable of greatness?!

To check the global temperature, we’re privileged to be granted an audience with Château Margaux’s Philippe Bascaules, South Africa’s Duncan Savage, and UK Best Sommelier Maria Boumpa.

What they have to say will raise more than a few eyebrows. (Including an unexpected scoop about top South African producer Eben Sadie…)

We firmly believe it’s time to rip up the established rule book when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, and open our minds to a new reality.

Tune in to find out why.

Starring

Philippe Bascaules
Duncan Savage
Maria Boumpa

Subscribe

Sign up to Wine Blast PLUS for first-class subscriber-only content, to access our full archive, support the show and get every episode before it goes on free release.

You’ll also get subscriber-only discounts with the likes of Coravin, Jancis Robinson glassware and Academie du Vin Library.

Just visit WineBlast.co.uk to sign up – it’s very easy, and we will HUGELY appreciate your support.

It takes a monumental amount of work to make Wine Blast happen. Your support will enable the show to continue and grow – and we have lots of fantastic ideas of things we’d like to develop as part of Wine Blast to maximise the wine fun. The more people who sign up, the more we’ll be able to do.

Join Wine Blast PLUS here

Links

  • Here’s a link to the previous Wine Blast episode (from Season 2) that we cite in this show: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
  • In early 2027, Marlborough is hosting Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027, ‘A celebration of collaboration, creativity and iconic global reputation of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.’ Check it out!
  • The main photos in these show notes were taken at the MMD portfolio tasting on 10th March 2026 in London, at a session entitled: A Masterclass in the Diversity and Ageability of Sauvignon Blanc. Credit: MMD/Different Perspective.

Recommended Sauvignon Blanc producers

BORDEAUX: Château Margaux, Domaine de Chevalier, Château Doisy-Daëne, Château Carbonnieux, Clos Floridène, Château d’Yquem, Château de Fieuzal, Château Haut-Brion, Château Brown, Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Château Talbot, Château Latour-Martillac, Château Lagrange

NEW ZEALAND: Dog Point, Greywacke, Astrolabe, Pegasus Bay, Mahi, Rapaura Springs ROHE, Blank Canvas, Catalina Sounds, Jules Taylor, te Pā, Zephyr, Yealands, Cloudy Bay, Auntsfield, Villa Maria, Kim Crawford, Saint Clair, Tohu, Isabel Estate, Loveblock, Matawhero, Misty Cove, Tiki, The Supernatural Wine Co, Whitehaven, Jackson Estate, Giesen, Brancott Estate, Huia, Man O’War

SOUTH AFRICA: Savage Wines, Cape Point Vineyards, Jordan, Chamonix, Reyneke, Tokara, Sterhuis, Elgin Ridge, Ataraxia, Carmen Stevens, Paul Cluver, Iona, Springfield, De Morgenzon, Vergelegen, Waterkloof, Black Oystercatcher, Ghost Corner, Thelema, Neil Ellis, Klein Constantia, Lismore

LOIRE: Didier Dagueneau, Henri Bourgeois, François Cotat, Alphonse Mellot, Vincent Pinard, Domaine Vacheron, Pascal Jolivet, Tinel-Blondelet, Michel Redde & Fils, Alexandre Bain, Florian Roblin, Valéry Renaudat, Jacques Rouzé, Jean Pabiot & Fils, Domaine Gérard Millet, Paul Prieur & Fils, Hubert Brochard, Pierre Martin, Andre Dezat

CHILE: Casa Marin, Viña Leyda, Garcés Silva, Trapi del Bueno, Errázuriz, Matetic, Laberinto, Aquitania, Casa Silva, Echeverría No Es Pituko, Miguel Torres Chile, Santa Rita, Marty, Montes, Cono Sur, Ventisquero, Tabalí

AUSTRALIA: Shaw & Smith, Singlefile, Domaine A, Vasse Felix, Cape Mentelle, Larry Cherubino, Cullen, Terre a Terre, Bay of Fires, Leeuwin, Domaine Naturaliste, Stella Bella

OTHERS: Attems (Italy), Pio Cesare (Italy), Lis Neris (Italy), Marco Felluga (Italy), Missing Gate (UK), Balfour (UK), Benziger (USA), Araujo (USA), Merry Edwards (USA), Robert Mondavi (USA), Sbragia (USA), Chalk Hill (USA), Duckhorn (USA)

Get in Touch!

We love to hear from you. 

You can send us an email. Or find us on social media (links on the footer below).

Or, better still, leave us a voice message via the magic of SpeakPipe:


Transcript

Coming soon!