DRINK DIFFERENT - NORFOLK CHALLENGES ‘KING SAUVIGNON’

I have written before in this column about the grape Bacchus, which is particularly successful when grown in England – so much so that it is sometimes called ‘England’s Sauvignon Blanc’.

Sauvignon Blanc, of course, has long been the go-to grape (especially those from the Loire) if you are after fresh, minerally wines with good acidity.  It’s a grape which is widely cultivated across the globe, with New Zealand examples delivering dry, crisp wines with fresh acidity and melon and tangy grapefruit flavours.

But finally, Bacchus – and especially that made in Norfolk – can claim to be challenging Sauvignon’s crown.  The version made at Winbirri vineyard in Surlingham was named ‘best value white wine made from a single grape variety’ in this year’s prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards.  If you can find a bottle of one of the most in-demand wines around, you will taste a worthy alternative to King Sauvignon.