Midalidare’s Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc in a nutshell
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Often simply called Sauvignon (while Cabernet Sauvignon is often called just Cabernet), this extremely popular variety makes 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.
All about Sauvignon Blanc in a few words:
- Second most planted white grape variety (after Chardonnay) worldwide,
- French variety, the exact origin is still unknown, possibly Loire Valley and Bordeaux Regions,
- Sauvignon became the parent to Cabernet Sauvignon after a natural crossing with Cabernet Franc in an 18th-Century Bordeaux vineyard,
- Sauvignon Gris is a pink mutation of Sauvignon Blanc, but Sauvignon Vert and Sauvignon Rose have no known relation with Sauvignon Blanc,
- Grow vigorously in many soil types, in both cool and warm regions,
- Early ripening variety, naturally high acidity,
- In California wine produced from the Sauvignon Blanc grape is also known as Fume Blanc because of a marketing trick used by Robert Mondavi,
- Sauvignon Blanc can be greatly influenced by decisions in the winemaking process,
- Oak aging can have a pronounced effect on the wine,
- Sauvignon Blanc is usually made as a dry, still white wine. However, the variety is used for making sparkling wines,
- Leave a gram or two of residual sugar adds a richer texture to the wines,
- Sauvignon Blanc is also used to make the famous Bordeaux dessert wine, Sauternes,
- The primary fruit flavors of Sauvignon Blanc are lime, green apple, passion fruit and white peach,
- What makes Sauvignon Blanc unique are its herbaceous flavours. These flavors come from aromatic compounds called pyrazines and are the secret to Sauvignon Blanc’s taste,
- Major styles of Sauvignon Blanc wines are: Minerally (Sancerre, Pouilly Fume, Tasmania); Citrussy (Bordeaux, Adelaide Hills, Chile); Aromatic herbaceous (New Zealand, South Africa). All styles could be oaked or unoaked,
- Depending on the climate, the flavor can range from aggressively grassy to sweetly tropical,
- Best serving temperature for Sauvignon Blanc is between 8ºC and 12ºC. Serve at 8-10ºC if the wine is unoaked and at 10-12ºC if the wine is oaked.
- Best serving glass is Sauvignon Blanc Glass, although a Regular or Riesling wine glass will work,
- Sauvignon Blanc is a food-friendly wine, pair with any food you could squeeze a lemon on.
