5 Cool Things to Know about Sauvignon Blanc

5 Cool Things to Know about Sauvignon Blanc besides that it’s delicious.

1. Sauvignon blanc is Cabernet Sauvignon’s mom! Or dad/parental figure. Cab Sauv was born when Sauvignon Blanc & Cabernet Franc spontaneously crossed one day in the Loire Valley, France.

2. SB’s flavor depends on where it’s grown. Warm areas like parts of New Zeland = more citrusy, tropical wine with guava notes. Cooler areas like France’s Loire Valley = more mineral, lemon zesty, gooseberry (like green plums). Experiment (sip sip) to find regions you like best!

3. If SB vines aren’t pruned suuuuper well and the leaves aren’t thinned back as the grapes mature, the fruit won’t get enough sun to ripen. This can produce grassy or bell pepper-like flavors in the final wine thanks to overproduction of methoxypyrazine compounds. Most winemakers consider this flavor the nemesis of Sauvignon Blanc and avoid it at all costs.

4. “Fume Blanc” isn’t a type of wine or an appellation wine. It’s a name that Robert Mondavi gave to his SB in the 1970’s because it sounded French and he wanted people to think they were getting a French-like SB.

5. Likely the ancestral home of the grape, the Loire Valley focuses on goat cheese AND Sauv Blanc. Perhaps not surprising, Sauvignon Blanc is amazing with goat cheese! This is great to know not only to show off at parties, but because you can project this combination out to other pairings. Nearly every Sauvignon Blanc from anywhere tastes delicious with goat cheese!