Some recent reports are predicting that the 2011 vintage could be the breakthrough year for South African Sauvignon Blanc. Most of us know that Chenin Blanc (aka Steen) from South Africa can be very impressive—make that absolutely delicious!—but quality Sauvignon Blanc has taken a little longer.

            One of the great things about Sauvignon Blanc is that sometimes an inexpensive bottle can be thoroughly enjoyable. There are Sauvy Blancs of premium quality at premium prices, yes, but if you’re just looking for easy, casual enjoyment the inexpensive variety can often fit the bill to a T.

            Our latest South African offering is The Beach House 2011 from Douglas Green Winery in the Western Cape. The wine is actually a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon and the label suggests how we might wish to enjoy it by simply stating the words “tranquil   cool   rippled sand   driftwood   peaceful   relaxed   ebb   flow   chill.” It offers fresh, delightful flavors of lemongrass and gooseberries, and pairs well with cracked crab, shucked oysters, steamed clams, grilled fresh white fish, tuna carpaccio, shrimp, sushi rolls, seafood salads, and vegetarian dishes. How could you not enjoy a wine like that?

            And let’s not forget that this wine carries the new South African certification for Integrity and Sustainability from their Wine and Spirit Board (it appears on the neck of each bottle), which means that the winery ensures the integrity of the wines, the health and safety of its workers, its minimal use of chemicals and pesticides and the introduction of natural predators onto their farms, its protection of the biodiversity of South Africa’s floral kingdom, as well as its cleaning up of waste water.

            Like I said, how can you not enjoy a wine like that?

Bill Stobbs, ABC Wine Supervisor

(Follow me on Twitter @abcwinebills)