Midalidare’s grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc - The variety
Midalidare’s grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
Part 2: Sauvignon Blanc - The variety
Often simply called Sauvignon (while Cabernet Sauvignon is often called just Cabernet), this extremely popular variety making crisp, dry, aromatic, and extremely distinctive wines all over the world. While it may lack the dimensions of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc’s greatest attributes lie in its fabulous array of aromatic qualities, which vary according to growing location and its treatment in the cellar.
Sauvignon Blanc is a white-wine green-skinned grape variety from France. The variety traces its origins to western France in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux Regions. The grape most likely gets its name from the French words sauvage ("wild") and blanc ("white") due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France. It is possibly a descendant of Savagnin. The exact origin is still unknown.
There are numerous clones of Sauvignon Blanc in California, France, Italy, and Chile.
In the 19th century, plantings in Bordeaux were often interspersed with Sauvignon Vert (in Chile, known as Sauvignonasse) as well as the Sauvignon blanc pink mutation Sauvignon Gris. Prior to the phylloxera epidemic, the insect plague which devastated French vineyards in the 19th century, these interspersed cuttings were transported to Chile where the field blends are still common today. Despite the similarity in names, Sauvignon blanc has no known relation to the Sauvignon rose mutation found in the Loire Valley of France.
Vines grow vigorously in many soil types in both cool and warm regions; it is generally advisable to avoid highly fertile and deep soils.
A relatively robust, vigorous vine (which explains its popularity with viticulturists), Sauvignon adapts readily to all kinds of growing environments. Because it ripens early, it can be grown in relatively cool climates – its Loire homeland being the most obvious example – while its naturally high acidity allows it to retain a level of freshness even in warmer areas. However, to achieve the true, forward zing that best characterizes Sauvignon Blanc wine, a cooler terroir is needed, ideally with persistent bright sunshine and a dry harvest period.
Strange as it may seem, bright, green Sauvignon Blanc has much in common with dark-skinned Cabernet Sauvignon, and not just in the name and region of origin. The two varieties are, in fact, genetically related; Sauvignon became the parent to Cabernet Sauvignon after a natural crossing with Cabernet Franc in an 18th-Century Bordeaux vineyard. Both parent and offspring have now become two of the most widely planted vine varieties in the world.
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular grape variety in Bulgaria as well. The plantations in Mogilovo are situated at Prisovete and Shipkata vineyards, near by the Eastern winery. Varietal and blended PGI wines are produced by Midalidare, blends include Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Semillon and Viognier: 42/25 Sauvignon Blanc, 42/25 Chardonnay & Viognier & Sauvignon Blanc, Carpe Diem White, Silver Angel Sauvignon Blanc, Synergy Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Gris, Midalidare Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon, Midalidare Sauvignon Blanc Premium Selection, Winemaker's Choice Sauvignon Blanc Barrel Fermented
Similar varieties: Verdejo, Albarino, Colombard, Grüner Veltliner, Verdicchio, Vermentino, Tocai Friulano, Savignan (rare), Traminer, Sauvignon Vert (rare)
Synonims: Fume Blanc (USA), Muskat-Silvaner (Austria), Feigentraube (Germany), Sauvignon (Italy)
30.07.2020
All articles on “Midalidare’s grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc”
Part 1: Sauvignon Blanc in a nutshell
Part 3: Sauvignon Blanc - The terroirs
Part 4: Sauvignon Blanc - The wines
Part 5: Sauvignon Blanc - Serving and storage
Part 6: Sauvignon Blanc - Food pairing
Other articles on "Midalidare's grape varieties"
Midalidare's grape varieties: Mourvedre
Sources: Vinepair, Winefolly, Jancisrobinson, Grapes.extension.org, Decanter, Wine-searcher, Cemendocino.ucanr.edu, En.wikipedia
