Sauvignon Blanc is a very distinctive grape. It is snappy, sharp, crisp and often very high in acidity. It’s a grape that some people love, while others hate.

But no matter how you feel about it, it is important to understand that not all Sauvignon Blanc is created equal. In fact, Sauvignon Blanc can be quite expressive of the terroir in which it is grown.

In recent times, Chile has become a part of the world where Sauvignon Blanc has grown in popularity, especially from cooler climate areas that lie near the country’s indisputably massive and stunning coastline. While New Zealand and France are often considered to be the heavy weights when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc production, Chile is also turning heads.

The 2023 Leyda Reserva Sauvignon Blanc is a quintessential example of a cool climate, coastal Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. It hails from the Leyda Valley which is part of the broader San Antonio Valley in the Aconcagua region located south of Santiago and along the country’s western coastline. The Leyda Valley is a younger region, having only been officially recognized as an appellation about 30 years ago, but it is a place of determination and pioneering winemaking.

Because the Leyda Valley is located practically along the coast, separated from the Pacific Ocean by only the coastal mountains, it benefits from strong cool ocean breezes and fogs all year round. This means that the grapes grown here are naturally high in acidity, but ripeness can also be quite pronounced because of the high levels of sunshine and long days in the growing season.

The grapes used in this wine are hand harvested, which is a good sign of high quality. The wine is produced entirely in stainless steel, rendering a full expression of the Leyda terroir and the Sauvignon Blanc grapes themselves.

About the producer

Leyda winery is a leading producer of cool climate coastal wines in Chile. Their head winemaker, Viviana Navarette, is much lauded as being a leading winemaker in the country and a champion of cool climate wines. Leyda is committed to expressing the Leyda Valley terroir to the fullest extent possible. They own approximately 75 hectares of vineyards, located between 4-12 kms away from the Pacific Ocean.

Wineitupanotch Tasting Notes

Presenting a pale lemon with a light green tint in the glass, this wine is young, fresh, juicy and snappy. The nose is highly aromatic and inviting, reminding one of a summer day in the sun.

On the palate, the wine is bursting with lemon, lime, grapefruit and guava notes and also has notes of white flowers and fresh cut grass. Though it is undeniably high in acidity, the wine also has a smooth mouthfeel and balanced weight to it which makes for an overall satisfying and pleasant experience. Best of all, there is an undeniable salinity and high toned minerality on the palate which really speaks to the fact that the wine comes from a place that it so close to the ocean.

Very fairly priced, this is a wine that is perfectly affordable and really quite enjoyable in the right occassions!

Wine it up a notch by pairing this wine with a cold seafood tower, sushi or a thai dish with lemongrass and ginger in it!

Cheers, Friends!