The cult following that Cloudy Bay now enjoys is certainly deserved. Pale greeny gold in colour, it combines fresh basil and gooseberries with herbal and tropical mouth-watering flavours. A great aperitif, it is a wonderful partner to all sorts of fish and seafood dishes. If you’ve yet to try it – most vintages sell out pretty quickly, and the perceived status and exceptional popularity of the wine can make it hard to get hold of – look out for the 2000 vintage on trendy restaurant wine lists (expect to pay anything between £20 and £30 for the privilege) or look for it retail (around £11 to £12) from stockists such as Selfridges, Harrods, Robersons, Fortnum and Mason and Wimbledon Wine cellars.

But if you can’t track down Cloudy Bay, don’t despair. The really exciting thing about New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs is that they are all pretty good. And many are almost half the price of Cloudy Bay. I recently put several to a taste test and was extremely impressed by the overall standard.

You won’t be disappointed by any of the following:

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2000, £6.99, at Majestic Wine Warehouses, Threshers, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose – elegant with citrus-like freshness.
Shepherd’s Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2000, Wither Hills, £7.99, Marks and Spencer – crisp, zippy and dry with gooseberry-fool-like flavours.
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc, £7.99, Threshers and Winerack – mouth-watering and really grassy. Perfect with fish.
Grove Hill Sauvignon Blanc, 2000, £7.49, Sainsbury’s – crisp with tropical fruit and gooseberry overtones and a hint of cream on the finish.
Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2000, £6.99, Tesco – mouth-watering dry with citrus, gooseberry and lychee flavours. A great aperitif.
Jackson Estate Sauvignon 2000, £8.99, Sainsbury’s (largest stores only) – stylish dry white with hints of lemon, nettles and green grass. Perfect on a hot summer’s day. In fact I think I’ll have a glass in the garden…

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