The Story of Sauvignon Blanc – The Noble Grape

There probably isn’t a grape as polarizing as Sauvignon Blanc. It’s the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about wine, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that this beloved grape has its fair share of haters. However, the reason behind this dislike varies from person to person.

Perhaps someone just doesn’t like the taste of Sauvignon? Or perhaps they feel that it overpowers other wines and takes up too much space in their cellar? Either way, there are many reasons why others might not appreciate the charms of this noble grape (pun intended).

A brief history of Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the oldest white grapes in the world, having been grown for over 2000 years in the Champagne region, France. While the grape is hardly new to the world, it was in the Middle Ages when the first written accounts of the grape appeared.

During Antiquity, the grape was most commonly found in the Mediterranean region and was often cultivated alongside the native Roussanne. Sauvignon Blanc remains to this day one of the only white grapes in the world to produce red wines.

From Antiquity to the early 13th century, the grape varieties of Sauvignon Blanc were fairly unremarkable, but by the end of the 14th century, the grape was being cultivated in the Champagne region, France.

At this time, the grape was commonly known as ‘Sauvignon de Champagne’, a name which remained until the early 20th century. From the late 18th century to the early 20th century, the grape was commonly known as ‘Sauvignon Blanc de Sillery’, named after the northern Champagne region. The grape was only officially named ‘Sauvignon Blanc’ in the late 20th century, a name which remains today.

What is Sauvignon Blanc?

Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine grape variety that originates from the Champagne region of France. Sauvignon is most commonly known for producing dry, mineral wines that typically have a crisp, acidic aroma.

While this aroma is what many people associate with Sauvignon wines, the grape variety also produces a range of styles, including:

• Dry, crisp wines with an acidic, minerally aroma and crisp, refreshing flavour
• Dry, crisp wines with a slight sweetness, often made in the warmer months
• Sherry-aged wines are often barrel-aged and infused with a rich, complex malty flavour
• Double-dry white wines that are bone-dry, with a minerally, crisp flavour

The grape varieties of Sauvignon Blanc

While Sauvignon is a very common grape variety in the world, the grape has five distinct grape varieties that are used for wine production.

These are:

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Sauvignon Gris
• Sémillon
• Muscardon
• Clairette

These five varieties differ from each other in terms of grape types, growing conditions, and wine styles. For example, Sauvignon is most commonly known for producing dry, crisp wines that have a minerally flavour and an acidic aroma. Meanwhile, Sauvignon Gris is most commonly known for producing sweet wines that are often blended with other grapes for greater sweetness.

The two main types of Sauvignon Blanc

Dry, crisp, and fresh Sauvignon Blanc wines – Dry, crisp, and fresh Sauvignon Blanc wines are typically crisp and acidic, with a minerally aroma. The wines are typically fermented using the ‘malolactic’ method, which converts malic acid into softer, more fruity flavours. This makes the wines more complex and richer in flavour.

Tropical Sauvignon Blanc wines – Tropical Sauvignon Blanc wines are typically less crisp, with a more tropical style. This makes the wines more fruity and warm, with a soft, tropical flavour.

Why do some people love Sauvignon Blanc?

Sauvignon Blanc is a grape that is loved by many because of its distinct character and classic style. The grape is typically used to produce dry, crisp white wines that are typically acidic and sometimes even mineral-rich.

With Sauvignon, there is no denying the fact that you are drinking a classic and classic wine style. The grape is typically used to produce dry, crisp wines with a minerally flavour, along with an acidic, crisp aroma.

These wines make for a refreshing drinking experience that is perfect for hot days. Sauvignon is also loved by many because of its versatility. The grape is commonly used to produce dry white wines from a wide array of styles and flavours.

However, the grape is also commonly used to produce Sherry-aged brown wines with a rich and complex malty flavour. This makes the grape versatile in the sense that it can be used for many styles of wines, depending on the varietal.

Conclusion

Sauvignon is a classic, dry white wine grape that produces crisp, dry wines with a minerally flavour. While some people might not like the taste of the grape, there are many reasons why others love the grape. The best way to discover if Sauvignon Blanc is for you is to try out a bottle and see if this grape is the one for you!