Sauvignon Blanc Kabinett – 2024

Light Sauvignon Blanc Kabinett by Oliver Zeter

Sauvignon Blanc Kabinett by Oliver Zeter is a light, subtly fruity white wine from the Palatinate, in which delicate sweetness and lively acidity play with one another. The winery’s motto for this wine is “Kabi always works!”—and it is just as easy-drinking as that suggests.

Sauvignon Blanc Kabinett 2024 is a Prädikat wine from Oliver Zeter in the Palatinate, for which the grapes are selectively harvested by hand only at the end of September. At just 9% ABV, it remains pleasantly lean, and its sweetness is carried by a lively acidity.

White currant, gooseberry, and citrus

The Sauvignon Blanc Kabinett has a restrained scent of citrus, white currants, and gooseberries, with green, herbaceous tones underneath that identify the grape variety. The winery describes it as having exotic-green aromas and a rather subtle varietal bouquet. In its assessment, wein.plus also notes floral traces and a hint of dark berries.

On the tongue, it is lean and bright, and the sweet fruit is accompanied by a fine, fresh acidity, keeping it lively and dancing. Chalky, salty tones and a touch of rock candy emerge gradually. Fine minerality and a delicate grip ensure a long, animating finish.

Late manual harvest for a light wine

Kabinett is the first tier among the German Prädikat levels and represents moderate alcohol and a fine interplay of sweetness and acidity. Classically, it is made from Riesling. Oliver Zeter, however, makes his Kabinett exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc, demonstrating how well the variety supports this style.

After the late, selective manual harvest, the grapes for the Sauvignon Blanc Kabinett are gently pressed in the cellar. The must is allowed to ferment with naturally occurring yeasts, partly in large wooden barrels and partly in stainless steel. This is the source of its subtle character, where the varietal aromas remain relatively quiet.

Until bottling in the spring, the young wine rests on its lees, which gives it finesse and elegance. The winery describes its taste as “feinfruchtig” (subtly fruity), meaning a perceptible but restrained sweetness that is captured by the acidity in such a way that the wine feels refreshing.

With Thai curry or plum cake

A spicy Thai curry, a summer salad with peach and burrata, or a piece of plum cake in the afternoon find a friendly companion in this wine. The fine sweetness takes the edge off the curry, while the acidity provides freshness alongside the fruit and cake. Because it has such low alcohol, it is also popular at lunchtime, for instance with a light salad in the garden.

Well-chilled at 7 to 9 degrees Celsius, its freshness is most apparent. According to wein.plus, its best period begins in 2027 and lasts beyond 2032, so you can open it now or let it lie in the cellar for a few more years.

Dry sides of the same grape variety are represented by the Sauvignon Blanc 2025 from stainless steel and the wood-aged Sauvignon Blanc Fumé 2024. Even more sweetness is offered by the Sweetheart from Oliver Zeter, and more bottles await in our white wine category.

Sauvignon Blanc Kabinett 2024 – A white wine and its technical data

• Origin Germany
• Region Palatinate
• Oliver Zeter, Neustadt an der Weinstraße
• Grape variety Sauvignon Blanc
• Quality level Kabinett, taste subtly fruity
• Aging in large wooden barrels and stainless steel
• 9% vol alcohol
• 35 g/l residual sugar
• 7.8 g/l acidity