All About Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is an aromatic grape varietal from France that has made quite a splash on the New Zealand and Margaret River wine scene. Its aroma is distinctly herbaceous, with hints of freshly crushed grass, while its high acidity gives it a crisp finish. Get to know this varietal from grape profile to palate to food pairings.
Grape Profile
Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape variety that yields highly acidic dry wines. These grapes are thin-skinned and very susceptible to drought, disease, and rot which is why they are almost always harvested by hand. They grow well in regions with cool to moderate climates. Light to medium in body, these wines are typically best consumed young and fresh.
Taste Profile
The aromas and flavours displayed by this variety depend on the ripeness of the fruit upon harvest. Harvested early in the season, you will commonly find apples, gooseberry, and wet stone notes. Ripe grapes harvested later bloom with tropical notes of passion fruit. Some producers mix grapes from different vineyard sites and different levels of ripeness to add complexity to their wines. One distinct characteristic of Sauvignon blanc is its herbaceous and floral aromas. If you get a whiff of grass, bell pepper, asparagus, or flowers, it’s most likely a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.
Wine Style
Most winemakers produce this grape as a single varietal, aged in inert vessels to preserve its aromatic and herbaceous notes. In Bordeaux and Australia, you might find this blended with Semillon to add body and improve its aging potential. This blend is often referred to as a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc or SSB.
Important Regions
France
Loire produces a number of much loved cool-climate Sauvignon Blancs in the region. With green fruit, herbs, and wet stone notes, these bottles are beautiful reflections of the appellations from which they are grown. Within the Loire, Sauvignon Blanc is the only white grape variety to be planted in Sancerre AOC and Pouilly-Fune AOC. You might find this variety under the label Touraine AOC as well. For more complex SBs, look for Graves AOC and Pessac-Leogan AOC in Bordeaux. Typically blended with Semillon and aged in oak barrels, these wines develop honey and nut notes and can age longer in bottles.
New Zealand
We can’t talk about Sauvignon Blanc without mentioning New Zealand. The wine region of Marlborough is highly regarded for producing wines with more distinct green bell pepper and asparagus characteristics compared to Loire thanks to its cool to moderate climate. Sauvignon Blancs from this region display a wide range of fruit notes from lemon, apple, and peach to passion fruit. This is achieved by combining grapes from different vineyard sites and different levels of ripeness.
Australia
The Margaret River region in Western Australia has made a name for itself with Sauvignon Blanc enthusiasts. Blessed with the cooling agents of the river, single varietal SBs from this region have concentrated flavours and crisp refreshing acid. Some are blended with Semillon and matured in oak to make gorgeous SSBs.
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Tyrian Clouds Sauvignon Blanc
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Volcanic Hills Sauvignon Blanc |
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McHenry Hohnen Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
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Pairing Suggestions
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Prawn & Asparagus with Dill |
Scallop & Pea Risotto |
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Deep-fried Calamari |
Dim Sum |
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Goat's Cheese Salad |
Pad Thai |