Sauvignon Blanc

Where is Sauvignon Blanc from?

It originates most probably somewhere inbetween the Loire Valley and Bordeaux region. Sometime in the 18th century it was crossed with Cabernet Sauvignon. France is the country where the most Sauvignon Blanc is grown, followed by New Zealand, Chile, and South Africa. Some areas of New Zealand, with their long narrow islands, are on the rise among Sauvignon Blanc lovers - the constant proximity to the sea provides cooler climate which has distinctive influence on the ripening process.

Interesting story about Sauvignon Blanc

The name Sauvignon Blanc comes from the French word 'sauvage' which means wild and 'blanc' - white, due to its origin as a wild vine on the west coast of France. Some might catch a smell of 'pipi de cha' (cat pee) due to concentrations of thiols in the ripe grapes of Sauvignon Blanc.

Sauvignon Blanc grape characteristics

Sauvignon Blanc tends to bud late and ripen early. This makes it perfect for sunny climates that are not too hot. Sandy soils are preferred for their drainage ability which keeps the size of the crops down so that the vines can focus on concentrating the flavors. In denser soils where the grapes ripen later, we get herbal wines while rocky soils where the grapes ripen early give more tropical flavors such as pineapple and passion fruit.

Sauvignon Blanc Wines

Sauvignon Blanc tends to produce dry, fresh, and acidic white wines. One of the most well-known Sauvignon Blanc wine belongs to the appellation Sancerre in the Loire region of France. Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is one of the remarkable wines of the country. Some wineries in Bordeaux age Sauvignon Blanc in oak barrels but it is more commonly to serve it young.
This grape is also part of the special dessert wine Sauternes which is a sweet dark golden wine. During production, the grapes are allowed to mold in a natural way on the bunches until they almost turn into raisins before the grapes are hand-picked. Due to the costly manufacturing process, Sauternes wines are usually very expensive.

What to pair with Sauvignon Blanc?

Sauvignon Blanc can be combined with a variety of dishes as it is an easy approachable wine. If we are looking for light meat, it can be suitable for chicken or turkey. Sauvignon Blanc is also excellent for seafood such as lobster, squid, and so on.
It is a perfect complement to soft cheeses such as feta, chevre or buffalo mozzarella. Also for vegetable dishes that contain eggplant or zucchini and spices such as thyme or bay leaves. For those who love vegetarian dishes - this is your wine!