Sauvignon Blanc wine: overview, growing regions and nuances + how to drink
The Sauvignon Blanc wine variety is one of the most widespread in the world: the number of plantings of this vine is estimated at tens of thousands of hectares. Only Chardonnay is more popular among white types.
France, in particular the Loire Valley, is considered to be the birthplace of the famous grape, and the lesser-known light varieties Traminer and Chenin Blanc are its ancestors.
Sauvignon plantations can be found not only in Europe, but also in Australia, America, New Zealand and even Africa.
Characteristics of the Sauvignon Blanc variety
The original name of the variety is Sauvignon blanc. It is believed that it comes from the word "sauvage", which means "wild".
In different regions, the vine is called by its own names (Beyaz Sauvignon, Blanc doux, Blanc Fumé, Bordeaux bianco, etc.). д.), which necessarily contain the word "white" in the local sound.
The vine has several mutations: Sauvignon Gris (also known as Sauvignon Rose), Sauvignon Noir and Sauvignon Violet, which differ in fruit color and flavor characteristics. However, they are little known and not very popular.
The widespread use of this grape is simple: Sauvignon Blanc is quite unpretentious, but at the same time produces wonderful fresh fruity wines that are easy to drink and harmonize perfectly with almost any food.
Drinks from classic grapes are especially good in summer.
In different regions, Sauvignon behaves and develops in its own way, creating new shades of flavors and aromas.
However, the following features are common to all varieties:
The clusters have a strictly cylindrical shape with berries fitting tightly together.
The vine belongs to the tree category and can withstand low temperatures well. In hot countries, the variety does not perform well and becomes capricious.
Small fruits are characterized by an elongated shape and a soft golden color: from pale straw to bright yellow.
Berries ripen late and give a moderate amount of juice.
Grapes grow better in limestone soils. Only young vines are suitable for harvesting.
In aged wines, regardless of the area of production, specific tart notes of red currant and gooseberry with a pronounced acidity appear. Shades of freshly cut green are more typical for young ones.
Growing regions and flavor characteristics
The best producers of Sauvignon beverages are located in its homeland, France, where the golden fruit is used to make elite wines with an exquisite bouquet.
Not everyone can appreciate such specimens, as they often contain not the most pleasant notes.
Among wine experts, a special tasting term called "pipi de chat" was even introduced to characterize noble Sauvignon wines. It means nothing more than "cat urine".
But it's all a delight! For the average consumer, Sauvignon drinks are associated with aromas of citrus, meadow grasses, green berries, paprika, fresh currant leaves, moderate minerality and a light smoky aftertaste.
However, products from different regions have their own specifics.
French wines
It belongs to the classic, reference products from Sauvignon. They are characterized by a pronounced "fruity" taste and a predominance of citrus tones.
The main suppliers are the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume wineries located in the central part of France on the banks of the Loire.
Good drinks are made in Saint-Brieuc: here they are more affordable, although the quality is almost as good as the famous Loire.
The variety is also used to create wines in the vicinity of Bordeaux: here it is usually included in blends.
The most famous sweet dessert drinks made from fermented grapes with mold are sauternes.
Dry Bordeaux wines from Sauvignon are good in the Graves, Entre-Deux-Mers and Pessac-Léognan regions.
Among the worthy French producers: "Michel Reddeetfils", "Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte".
Drinks from the New World
South Africa, the USA, New Zealand, Argentina and other countries have exotic flavors: the taste is based on peach, melon, pineapple, lychee, passion fruit.
In hot climates, Sauvignon ripens better, but at the same time loses its freshness, herbaceousness and "smokiness".
In Africa, grapes are grown in cool regions, where light fruity wines with a hay aroma are produced.
Products from Australia and California are characterized by oiliness and some heaviness of the bouquet, which is largely due to prolonged aging in oak.
Wines from the United States, where the "fashion" for storage in wood began, have similar qualities.
New Zealand Sauvignons are famous for their "violent" nature: local winemakers were deceived in their best expectations when they tried to create elegant, restrained drinks similar to Loire
. In fact, the bouquet turned out to be rich, bright and wayward.
European wines
Made in Italy, Germany and Austria, Sauvignon is more like the French style: fresh, light, elegant and perfect for everyday drinking, especially in the heat of the day.
Sauvignon also shows similar qualities in Slavic wineries of Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia, as well as in Moldovan and Romanian producers.
Nuances in the production of wine
Wines from the golden variety are good both when young and when mature, but in the latter case they require caution.
The main rule that all winemakers working with Sauvignon try to follow is to moderate aging, especially when it comes to oak.
The fact is that if you overexpose the drink, you can get tasteless and low-flavored products that are not suitable for tasting.
Most manufacturers try to use neutral containers for storage and do not get carried away with the duration of maturation.
It is not recommended to keep Sauvignon for more than three years, so as not to lose its varietal aroma, inherent minerality and pleasant acidity.
How to drink wine with Sauvignon Blanc
Drinks from Sauvignon Blanc are good for their unpretentiousness in the choice of gastronomic pairs.
Seafood, fish of all kinds, vegetable appetizers, salads, white meat, cheeses and soups are suitable for them.
A good addition will be creamy sauces and asparagus dishes.
Before serving, the wine should be thoroughly cooled to 10-12 °C.
Update: 05.11.2018
Category: Wine and Vermouth