Sauvignon Sippers

The Australians did a fabulous job in their theme country role, effortlessly pulling the Oz category in single, well-defined direction, something Canadian and local wine industry types would do well to ape.

At every chance afforded, the Australians hammered home a four-point message that they were "brand champions", (category leaders); regional heroes (making wines that reflect there regions), "generation next" (pushing boundaries) and now Landmark Australia, complete with icon labels.

Michael Hill-Smith, MW and Shaw and Smith winery partner, did a terrific job as the country emcee getting the Oz story out at each seminar. He knew all the players, all the wines and eloquently set the stage to allow everyone to succeed. The cohesion of such a large and diverse group speaks to the mindset required to conquer a market. Again, B.C. take note.

As for the tasting room, here are some quick observations.

There seemed to be little or no resistance to screwcaps by consumers and trade. Look for an avalanche of Stelvin to arrive this summer and fall.

De Bortoli winemaker David Slingsby-Smith told me that his icon Australian dessert wine, Noble One Botrytised Semillon, will be sold under a screwcap closure with the next vintage release.

Across the tasting room Douro wine guru Cristiano Van Zellaer is finally getting his family name back thanks to a generous cousin who came into legal possession of the long-lost family moniker and returned it as an unexpected, but much welcomed, Christmas present. Van Zellaer could hardly contain his glee as he spoke of two new wines that will soon arrive to the market with the historic Van Zellaer name emblazoned on the label.

The Gala dinner auction came to life this year with some big dollars -- $447,000 in all -- which included a dinner for 10 at the Bearfoot Bistro in Whistler that fetched a whopping $25,000.

Austrian glass guru Maximilian Riedel seemed to impress the crowds in his stemware seminars. Now if only the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre could produce something similar. As it stands, the continent's finest wine festival remains seriously hampered by cheap glassware.

Okay back to wine -- inexpensive, tasty whites to accompany the Easter egg hunt this weekend.

The Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2006 opens with canned grapefruit aromas flecked with asparagus, lime rind and passion fruit. The palate is a touch soapy, but otherwise fresh with more lime rind and grapefruit in the finish. A solid, entry level, sauvignon to that can do solo duty on the deck.

Carmen winemaker Maria del Pilar Gonzalez is doing an excellent job of fine-tuning the company's varietal range and after some recent, so-so efforts, the Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2006, from Curico, is back on track. The nose is super fresh and clean with mineral, citrus and melon fruit flavours. Now closed with a screwcap, the flavours seem to leap from the glass. It simply doesn't get any better for the money. Drink all spring and summer.

Paul Mas has the pulse of the public wine taste and he's not from Australia. That's right. The former Domaine Virginie winemaker is making wine far more serious than its name: Arrogant Frog Ribet White 2006. This is a crisp, light, mineral, citrus, grassy white with freshness in the mouth that cries out for oysters or shellfish. It's killer value and will reward any who choose to pour a cool glass or three on a hot, sunny patio. Alas, it's only sold in private wine shops. Why?

Edition two of Vina Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc Coleccion Privada 2006, Valle de Casablanca, Chile is as solid as the previous year and it's great value at $14. The nose is clean and fresh with plenty of lifted gooseberry, green apple and lime rind aromas. It's New Zealand sauvignon blanc for $5 less. Love the balance and freshness here. A perfect seafood/shellfish wine you can drink all summer.

Perennial favourite and workhorse house describes the Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin 2006 from Marlborough, New Zealand. Look for its green pepper, grassy, melon, passion fruit nose with bits of jalapeno in the background. The plate is delicate, crisp and fresh with melon, bell pepper and granny smith flavours. Powerful yet delicate.

Finally, a new listing, Huia Sauvignon Blanc 2006 is a blend of several Marlborough vineyard sites. It has a big gooseberry, passion fruit, grassy, grapefruit nose with bits of asparagus and spearmint. The flavours are a similar mix of gooseberry, minty, grassy, grapefruit flavours with a touch of bell pepper in the finish. Solid, elegant style for food that will benefit from a year

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Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2006, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Price: $12.99
UPC: 7804350596366
Score: 85/100
Remarks: Solid entry-level sauvignon.

Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Valle del Curico, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Price: $13.95
UPC: 83300097604
Score: 87/100
Remarks: It simply doesn't get any better for the money.

Arrogant Frog Ribet White 2006, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
Price: $13.99
UPC: 3760040421841
Score: 86/100
Remarks: This is killer value.

Vina Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc Coleccion Privada 2006, Valle de Casablanca, Chile
Price: $14.06
UPC: 7804350001396
Score: 87/100
Remarks: Drink all summer.

Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Price: $18.99
UPC: 9414416305528
Score: 87/100
Remarks: Melon, bell pepper, granny smith, jalapeno flavours.

Huia Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Price: $24.99
UPC: 839081001022
Score: 88/100
Remarks: Elegant style for food but needs a year or two in the bottle.