White wine recommendations

[MagdaTrudy]

Please.

It's for a birthday gift, budget around £25. The recipient likes Sauvignon Blanc and will drink it with a light fish dinner.

Thank you.

Cloudy Bay

Cloudy Bay is nice... but very every day and a bit boring I'd say.

For that budget, I'd aim to get two bottles, rather than one. But that's me - often Sauvignon blanc at the £11-13 mark are excellent.

However, if you want a single bottle, visit a wine merchant (in person or online) and ask for a good New Zealand Marlborough sauvignon blanc. Villa Maria and the Ned both do good options at the £11-13 mark (although possibly less "interesting") but there are also a number that will be more expensive.

If you want to get a bit more creative, ask for a good Chilean sauvignon blanc. I've had a few at the cheaper end over the years that are really good, so suspect you could find something great at your price point or a bit below.

Not New Zealand, even when I lived there I couldn’t stand their Sav Blanc! Try South African instead, there’s a lovely one from Majestic called “Acacia Road”.

@BlingLoving

Cloudy Bay is nice... but very every day and a bit boring I'd say.

For that budget, I'd aim to get two bottles, rather than one. But that's me - often Sauvignon blanc at the £11-13 mark are excellent.

However, if you want a single bottle, visit a wine merchant (in person or online) and ask for a good New Zealand Marlborough sauvignon blanc. Villa Maria and the Ned both do good options at the £11-13 mark (although possibly less "interesting") but there are also a number that will be more expensive.

If you want to get a bit more creative, ask for a good Chilean sauvignon blanc. I've had a few at the cheaper end over the years that are really good, so suspect you could find something great at your price point or a bit below.

I disagree that Cloudy Bay is every day or boring and think it's lovely and fits the bill nicely. Villa Maria is nice enough but a bit meh for a present.

If you've got a Waitrose near you OP they have some lovely options for your price range in their extra special bit. I would look for a Pouilly fume, Sancerre, Chablis or a Marlborough sauvignon blanc. The staff on the wine section are also usually super knowledgeable and helpful.

If you are ordering online, a Saint Bris is a lovely and slightly unusual option. I spotted one on Amazon the other day.

@BigMamaFratelli and this immediately proves why wine is such a personal choice! . We clearly have opposite views on the everyday stuff which is the key thing with wine generally - one person's "I LOVE this" is another person's, "sure, okay, if there's nothing else].

My dad, who also likes Sauvignon Blanc, does not like New Zealand ones. He's all about the South African versions that I find a bit acidic.

Thanks all for your suggestions. I am going to go to a local independent wine shop and take all your ideas in with me.

[quote BlingLoving]@BigMamaFratelli and this immediately proves why wine is such a personal choice! . We clearly have opposite views on the everyday stuff which is the key thing with wine generally - one person's "I LOVE this" is another person's, "sure, okay, if there's nothing else].

My dad, who also likes Sauvignon Blanc, does not like New Zealand ones. He's all about the South African versions that I find a bit acidic.[/quote]
Well, we may differ on the NZ ones, but I'm with you on the SA sauvignon blancs! Really not my cup of tea. Much prefer French. Or even Chilean.

If they like Sauvignon and you've got a £25 budget I'd go Sancerre - same grape but fancy for a gift.

@BlingLoving Lucky you if you think Cloudy Bay is an everyday wine

I would second Cloudy Bay- I know it's a lot easier to get hold of than it used to be so less rarity value but it's still delicious and pretty much exactly £25. A nice Sancerre is also a great idea or a Pouilly Fumé.

I find the Ned and Villa Maria horribly grapefruity and acidic. I prefer a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc if I have to have one.

Personally I find Chenin Blanc nicer.

Chardonnay grape, but lovely with fish - I would go for Chablis or Pouilly Fuisse.

Well, we may differ on the NZ ones, but I'm with you on the SA sauvignon blancs! Really not my cup of tea. Much prefer French. Or even Chilean.

Agree re a good chilean, I used to buy the Luis Filipe Reserve often (the regular one wasn't fab) but I haven't seen it around recently. I do like a high end SA Sauvignon blanc, but not the cheap and cheerful ones from the supermarket so much.

Also the M&S Villierra is pretty good. Around £8 I think.

It really depends what your objective is. A £25 bottle of wine as a birthday present should be something fairly nice that you think the recipient will like and it's always going to be very subjective.

If you're actually looking for something special to match with a 'light fish dinner' then that's a different matter and it would be helpful if we knew what 'light fish dinner' meant.

For some plain white fish such as sea bass fillets grilled or pan-fried then a dry sauvignon blanc such as a Pouilly-Fumé or Sancerre would go fine, whereas a flat fish like turbot or sole à la meunière might warrant something fuller with a bit of oak like a white burgundy. Something oily like sardines would work well with a sharp, acidic wine like a Vinho Verde from northern Portugal or Rias Baixas from the other side of the border. As a general rule match the dish to something from the same region.