This Friday 7th May 2021, the world celebrated Sauvignon Blanc.

We could go on with a thrilling deep dive into this grape – from its birth in the west of France and how it successfully grew roots all over the world, to its love story with Cabernet Franc to produce one of the most loved grapes in the world Cabernet Sauvignon – this year the context is very different as there may be a global shortage of this straightforward yet zingy wine…

Indeed, this year, in the two major producing regions of Sauvignon Blanc, winemakers faced a dramatic twist of fate during the last vintage.

France and New Zealand despite being situated on opposite sides of the Earth, both had to endure devastating frosts when the vines had already started to wake up from winter.

In France, just a month ago and when nobody expected it, the last gasp of winter is estimated to have destroyed at least 30% of the crops.

In just three days, a rare cold snap plunged temperatures to unseasonal sub-zero levels, piling frost over vineyards and fruit crops across France in one of the worst episodes of its kind on record.

During the unusual heat of mid-March, vines had started to wake up across France, and with this last frost episode, every wine-producing area in France has been affected, from the Loire Valley to Provence, from Beaujolais to Corsica, from the Rhône Valley to Languedoc, and in the famed red wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy.

Only Alsace and large parts of Champagne have been spared as the plants had not fully awoken.

Among the affected regions, the Loire Valley and Bordeaux whites are mostly Sauvignon Blanc based, and this grape was badly hit, and winemakers expect a large drop in production.

On the other side of Earth, news from New Zealand is also rather bleak.

Since the late 20th century, the Marlborough region at the Northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island quickly gained an international reputation as one of the great Sauvignon Blanc regions of the world.

The rapid development of the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most spectacular events in the world of wine of the past decades. The kiwi version of the grape has captured a vast market all around the globe, and in 2015, Sauvignon Blanc accounted for around 85% of New Zealand's wine exports!

But what happened in France a few weeks ago unfortunately also happened in New Zealand.

Due to early frost and cool weather during the flowering season, estimates are that Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand are down 30%.

The impact is directly seen in Trade, as many New Zealand winemakers have already started to determine which of their customer’s orders to honor, and which to turn down for lack of stock.

Now with the good news!

Lovers of Sauvignon Blanc should not be too concerned about finding their next drink as fortunately other regions and other wineries have made a specialty of Sauvignon Blanc. Although lesser known, we expect the world’s thirst demand to push buyers to discover new regions.

If you want to get on the case before the wave follow the Nimbility guide and check out the below Sauvignon Blanc wines from outside of France & New Zealand!

/Viña Casa Silva, Lago Ranco Sauvignon Blanc 2019/

Futrono Vineyards, Patagonia, Chile

95 points Tim Atkin MW & Wines of the Year in his Chile report

/Viña Casa Silva, Cool Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2020/

Paredones Vineyard, Colchagua, Chile

94 points Tim Atkin MW

For more information about Viña Casa Silva wines in China get in touch at info@nimbilityasia.com

/Mulderbosch, Sauvignon Blanc 2019/

Stellenbosch, South Africa

91 points Tim Atkin MW and Best Value White Wine – Tim Atkin MW

Best White Wine – Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2020

To find Mulderbosch wines in China get in touch with Wikiwine.

/Greystone Sauvignon Blanc 2019/

Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, New Zealand

Gold Medal - NZ International Wine Show

Gold medal - Global Masters Sauvignon Blanc competition 2020

92 points Bob Campbell

91 points James Suckling

To find Greystone wines in China get in touch with Beijing YMF.

Do you want to stop your crazy dependency on Sauvignon Blanc? We have other grapes to convince you to try something different and look very smart with off the ‘usual’ track grapes!

/Viña Casa Silva, Cool Coast Sauvignon Gris 2019/

Paredones Vineyard, Colchagua, Chile

91 points James Suckling

To find Viña Casa Silva wines in China get in touch with CWS.

Although not as pungently aromatic as Sauvignon Blanc, the Falanghina grape shares a similar zesty acidity and hints of ripe lemon and peach. Our suggestion to try Falanghina is:

/Feudi di San Gregorio, Falanghina 2019/

Falanghina del Sannio DOC, Campania, Italy