I tested the best supermarket Sauvignon Blancs under £10 – winner was a Kiwi classic that's complete class in a glass

The Sun

30-04-2025

RAISE a glass of the cold and crisp stuff as its International Sauvignon Blanc day tomorrow.
But which of the supermarket Savvy Bs should you celebrate with?
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Wine expert Helena Nicklin tries a variety of bottles from around the world, all for less than a tenner.
Specially Selected Estevez, £6.99, Aldi
Chile
A CHILEAN classic, this one hails from the Casablanca Valley, 60 miles north-west of the country 's capital Santiago.
Here, the Sauvignon produced is a tad richer, and boasts more smoky, bitter grapefruit notes.
As well as illustrating perfectly how different in character Savvy Bs from all around the world can be, this Aldi tipple certainly gives you huge amounts of flavour and a lot of bang for your buck.
For just over a fiver it will pair amazingly with flavoursome cheeses.
Or even try alongside mild Asian spices such as Thai food or sushi.
Serve very cold!
Rating: 3/5
Expert reveals the top everyday food pairings for bargain supermarket wine
Porcupine Ridge, £8.75, Sainsbury's
South Africa
SOUTH Africa has its own, distinct style of Sauvignon Blanc.
Like this one, they tend to be more textured, round and tropical with high notes of smoky guava and grapefruit.
This one packs a super punch for the price and if you haven't sampled a South African option before, it is certainly well worth a try.
Drink it nice and chilled on its own. But it could also be a great pairing for ashy cheese or anything smoked.
The Porcupine Ridge offering is also perfect to pair with a relaxing barbecue in the sunshine this bank holiday weekend.
Rating: 3/5
Extra Special Touraine, £7.96, Asda
France
IF you want to take your French pick up a notch, go for a Touraine hailing from the Loire Valley region.
It is where wine experts and those in the know head for elegant but inexpensive Sancerre-style Sauvignon Blanc.
Sancerre is a type of wine also made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes that is famous for being crisp and elegant.
It is also generally quite expensive, so this is a great option that gives you the same style in your glass at a more affordable price.
This one shows the Loire style perfectly: More savoury, less shouty and very leafy, with a splash of saltiness.
It is lovely sipped with goat's cheese.
Rating: 4/5
Snoop Dogg 's Cali, £9.47, normally £11.96, Asda
California
GIVEN this is the most expensive of the bunch and has a celebrity's face on it, you'd be forgiven for expecting a lot from the Californian option.
For me, it's a Snoop Doggy Don't, though.
Californian Sauvignon can be delicious and is usually aromatic and fruity.
But this one is bizarrely sugary and confected.
It is bold, but only in a strange, chemical way.
And although cheaper than other options from the US, not one for aficionados of the grape.
But if you prefer white Zinfandel to Sauvignon Blanc generally, then maybe this is the bottle to bowl you over.
Rating: 1/5
Yealands, £9.04, Asda
New Zealand
EACH country or regional producer of Sauvignon Blanc has the hallmarks that shows off its own particular style.
But for my money, nothing beats this widely available Kiwi benchmark.
It is top dog for delivering all the classic flavours you want from a Savvy B made in this corner of the globe.
It's crisp and mineral in the glass, with lashings of lemon, lime zest, cut grass and nettles characteristics.
Head and shoulders above the rest on offer at this price point, while showcasing everything you want from a premium New Zealand Sauvignon for less than a tenner.
Complete class in a glass.
Rating: 5/5
Oxford Landing, £7.25, Tesco
Australia
THIS iconic Australian brand has become a Sauvignon Blanc classic.
But it has relaunched recently with a lower ABV to beat the duty rises.
So while that makes it affordable, if you drank this bottle in the past, do not expect it to be the same glug in the glass as before.
The Oxford Landing now comes in at 10.5 per cent ABV.
But it is delicate and aromatic – with a decent dollop of fruit flavour.
Australian Sauvignon is much more subtle than the Kiwi style and you can definitely notice the difference in the glass here.
Funky bottle, too.
Rating: 3/5
Altamar Leyda, £8.50, M&S at Ocado
Chile
THE cool climate of the Leyda Valley region in northern Chile, 55 miles west of Santiago, is an area that might be new to many Sauvignon Blanc fans.
But it is well worth getting to know because it is producing some stunningly different Sauvignons at great prices – just like this one.
Think vibrant, cool grapefruit and sea spray, with a searingly crisp acidity.
Distinctive and flavoursome without being tropical.
And with its hints of citrus and black pepper, this bottle will go brilliantly alongside fish.
Very refreshing. Give it a go and treat yourself to something new!
Rating: 4/5
JP Chenet, £7, Tesco
France
GREEN-skinned grapes used for French Sauvignon Blancs traditionally came from the Bordeaux region.
JP Chenet, however, sources grapes from all over France so the wines can taste fairly generic.
But it is on the shelf at a very affordable price point, which is to be applauded.
This one is very light in the booze department, with notes of lemon cream and sherbet.
Put the famous, wonky shaped bottle in the fridge for a while first and serve it super-cold, otherwise it gets a bit synthetic and chemical-like to drink.