Southern hemisphere whites

Sauvignon blanc is “the perfect wine for early fall,” said Sarah Bray in Saveur.com. “Bright and deep, with notes of lush tropical fruit,” this versatile white is French in origin but has flourished in the southern hemisphere too. Each of these sauvignon blancs “puts its own stamp of terroir on the grape.”

2011 Cloudy Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand ($25). Distinguished by its “elegant balance of tropical fruit, citrus, and acidity,” this wine is marvelous with seafood.

2011 Viña Leyda Classic, Chile ($12). “With its bright tropical nose and notes of green grass, lime zest, and grapefruit,” this sauvignon blanc is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

2011 Reyneke, South Africa ($25). This “deliciously refreshing” wine is produced with organically grown grapes. It has a scent of pink grapefruit and flavors of lime, papaya, and melon.