After his Cape of Good Hope Altima 2012 Sauvignon Blanc from Elandskloof came top at Bartho Eksteen’s annual Sauvignon Blanc Celebration last month, Johann Rupert is asking his friends for Rennies, which should simplify the choice of Christmas present.  For Johann used to be a notorious Sauvignon sceptic, preferring his Terra del Capo Pinot Grigio with a less acidic profile.

Johann’s brother-in-law Hein Koegelenberg, across the road at La Motte, relates how the pair used to buy grapes from Kaaimansgat but after a vintage of grapes was lost in the devastating bush fires on L’Ormarins some years ago, Johann now buys all the grapes available and Hein has been forced to plant Sauvignon at Elim, to meet requirements.

The ten SA Sauvignons selected for the Celebration speaks volumes about geographical and vintage diversity for the most popular single varietal white in SA that now has a new fan: Johann.

Baleia Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2012, W.O. Cape South Coast

Garden Route Sauvignon Blanc 2012, W.O. Outeniqua

Pepin Conde 2011, W.O. Elgin

Fryer’s Cove Bamboes Bay 2009, W.O. Bamboes Bay

Hermanuspietersfontein Nr 5 2011, W.O. Sondagskloof

Newstead Sauvignon Blanc 2012, W.O. Plettenberg Bay

Cape of Good Hope Sauvignon Blanc 2012, W.O. Elandskloof

Ashbourne Sandstone 2007, W.O. Walker Bay

Diemersdal MM Louw 2011, W.O. Durbanville

Klein Constantia Perdeblokke 2010, W.O. Constantia