When people talk about Sauvignon Blanc, they are using what is known as a pleonasm, that is, repeating words with the same meaning but different forms. Put simply, it is "doubling up". Because Sauvignon is always Blanc, meaning white.
This expression may serve to better distinguish between Sauvignon (blanc) and the red Cabernet-Sauvignon.
Sauvignon is one of the best-known grape varieties in the world, because Sauvignon vines are highly productive. It owes its worldwide fame mainly to Loire wines such as Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé, but also to white Bordeaux wines such as Entre-Deux-Mers or Graves.
On an international level, Sauvignon from New Zealand plays a major role, for example that of Cloudy Bay.
The characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc
Young Sauvignons are characterized by a distinctive character, featuring aromas of broom, boxwood, blackcurrant bud, grapefruit, passion fruit, and in some cases smoke or flint. However, in this context, one unfortunately cannot avoid mentioning the pungent smell of "cat pee" that is associated with many Sauvignons. This smell is very easy to detect, especially for anyone who has or had a cat. The subject is a real bone of contention between the "Old World" and the "New World": While this smell is associated with poor workmanship and grapes that were harvested before they reached optimal ripeness in France, the same smell is not considered a flaw in New Zealand or California. Sometimes quite the opposite: the New Zealand winery Coopers Creek named its Sauvignon Blanc "Cat’s Pee on Gooseberry". What a wonderful sense of humor!
Sauvignon Blanc growing regions
In France, the finest Sauvignons can be found along the Loire, especially in Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Quincy, Menetou-Salon, Reuilly, Cheverny, Valençay, etc. The other most important region for Sauvignon Blanc is Bordeaux, where it is usually blended with Sémillon or Muscadelle. Important appellations in this region are Entre-Deux-Mers, Graves, Sauternes, Bergerac, etc. Outside of France, interesting Sauvignon Blancs can be found, as mentioned, in New Zealand, California, and Chile, but also in Italy in the Collio region, in Syria, etc. ... and now also in Germany.
Food pairing with Sauvignon Blanc
With a mineral Sauvignon such as the one from Sancerre by Jean-Max Roger or the Quincy by Adèle Rouzé, anything from the sea is a good match. For the white Bordeaux Château Argadens or the Sauvignon de Touraine by Joël Delaunay, we recommend a fine goat cheese from the same region: Valençay, Selles-sur-Cher, Pouligny-Saint-Pierre, Sainte-Maure, or Crottin de Chavignol.
Sauvignon Blancs at Maître Philippe & Filles
If reading this has worked up your thirst, take a look at our selection of Sauvignon Blancs!
