Sauvignon Blanc has become the gateway grape variety for new wine drinkers and, while being a crowd-pleaser for many, also offers some of the finest, top-end dry white wines currently available.

"Sauvignon Blanc is easily one of the top grape varietals sold in our Scarsdale [New York] retail store," Andrew McMurray, vice-president of Zachys Wine & Liquor, told Wine-Searcher. "Sauvignon Blanc, overall, is selling well mostly because of its versatility and range in style; some are very easy-going, while others are complex."

The reasons for its popularity are many, but flavor is the key – Sauvignon Blanc does not hide its bright fruit aromas or flavors, whether the struck-match style of Pouilly Fumé or the leap-out-of-your-glass, passionfruit-and-gooseberry, acidity-laden examples from Marlborough. It isn't a shy style of wine.