Sauvignon Blanc, especially New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and specifically Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has captured the imagination of wine lovers around the world. For those who love this wine varietal, well that’s all you really need to know. However, if you want to get a little more familiar with Sauvignon Blanc, here are five things you should know:
ONE
The world loves Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand – its big, powerful expression with passionfruit, citrus and fresh herb aromas and flavours make it unmissable!
TWO
France has two areas famous for Sauvignon Blanc – the Loire Valley with flinty, dry Sancerre and Pouilly Fume as well as some lesser-known wines from Touraine, and Bordeaux in the south-west. Here it makes crisp, dry wines and yet it is also a component of Sauternes and Barsac – the great sweet wines (also made with Semillon and Muscadelle).
THREE
Sauvignon Blanc is great with seafood, but be careful not to overwhelm the gentle flavours of a fish dish with a big, fruity wine. Instead, look for a more subtle style. The bigger, more fruit-driven styles are great with more flavoursome cuisine such as Thai green curry. Sauvignon Blanc is also great with sushi and goat’s cheese (among other things!)
FOUR
Sauvignon Blanc has a number of styles – from fresh, dry and steely to highly aromatic and juicy. It is sometimes made using oak barrels too which gives a richness and complexity to the wines.
FIVE
Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc are the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon
And finally, probably the most important thing to know about Sauvignon Blanc…It loves great company!
Cheers.
