SAUVIGNON BLANC
Quick overview
Sauvignon Blanc is an aromatic white grape variety that is nearly always unoaked leaving it reassuringly crisp and zesty. Often displaying flavours of gooseberry and green bell pepper flavours which makes it high in acidity and medium bodied.
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Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume in the Loire Valley in France are renowned for producing premium Sauvignon Blancs, along with Marlborough in New Zealand's South Island. In Napa Valley, California in the US Sauvignon Blanc is often labelled Fume Blanc and is sometimes oaked making it more rounded and less crisp.
On the grapevine...
In order to show its herbaceous character Sauvignon Blanc needs a cool climate - like the Loire Valley in France. This cool climate will result in the dry wines with high acidity that define Sauvignon Blanc.
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Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand are often more aromatic than those from the Loire Valley which often display a steely character, similar to Chablis.
More about the grape...
Sauvignon Blanc is often used in sweet wines such as Sauternes (from France) due to it's high levels of acidity which helps balance the sweet wine.
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Sauvignon Blancs that come from Bordeaux are generally made up of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blends, which is also the make-up of sweet wines from Bordeaux with the addition of Muscadelle grape. The Semillon generally adds the body and Sauvignon adds the fruit flavours.
Random information...
Sauvignon Blanc originates from Bordeaux in France.
Since 2010, 24 April has been International Sauvignon Blanc Day!
Safe bet countries/ regions (this is a VERY general guide)
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Sancerre and Pouilly Fume, Loire - France
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Marlborough - New Zealand
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Constantia and Elgin - South Africa
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Napa Valley, California - US
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Casablanca, Chile - South America
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Adelaide Hills - Australia
