
Sauvignon Blanc
Learn about Sauvignon Blanc — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
A crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character, Sauvignon Blanc is responsible for a vast array of wine styles. However, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. The variety is of French provenance, and is most important in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. It also shines in New Zealand, California, Australia and parts of NE Italy. Chile and South Africa are excellent sources of high-quality, value-priced Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasting Notes for Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a dry white wine. In its homeland, Bordeaux, winemakers prefer to blend it with Sémillon to produce a softer, richer style. In the Loire Valley, Sauvignon Blanc expresses citrus, flint and smoky flavors, especially from in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Marlborough, New Zealand often produces a pungent and racy version, reminiscent of cut grass, gooseberry and grapefruit. California's style is fruit-driven, in either a soft and oak-aged or snappy and fresh version.
Perfect Food Pairings for Sauvignon Blanc
The freshness of Sauvignon Blanc’s flavor lends it to a range of light, summery dishes including salad, seafood and mild Asian cuisine. Sauvignon Blanc settles in comfortably at the table with notoriously difficult foods like artichokes or asparagus. When combined with Sémillon (and perhaps some oak), it matches well with complex seafood and chicken dishes.
Sommelier Secrets for Sauvignon Blanc
Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
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Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- TP
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand
- WE
- JS
- RP
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Schug Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- TP
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Tokara Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa
- RP
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Tenuta San Leonardo Vette di San Leonardo Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
- WS
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Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc (375ML half-bottle) 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California
- WW
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Domaine Paul Buisse Touraine Sauvignon 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine, Loire, France
- WW
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Clos Henri Petit Clos Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand
- JS
- WE
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Matthias et Emile Roblin Origine Sancerre 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
- W&S
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Henri Bourgeois Pouilly Fume En Travertin 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Pouilly-Fume, Loire, France
- WE
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Henry Natter Sancerre 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
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Ancient Peaks Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- WE
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Domaine Hubert Brochard Sancerre Aujourd'hui Comme Autrefois 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
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Rickshaw Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from California
- WW
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Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc (375ML half-bottle) 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Pulenta Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Mendoza, Argentina
- JS
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Tiefenbrunner Turmhof Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
- JS
- WE
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Santa Barbara Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
- WE
- WS
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Hacienda Araucano Humo Blanco Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- JS
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Quivira Alder Grove Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
- WW
- RP
- WS
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Villa Wolf Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Pfalz, Germany
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Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- RP
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Voss Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, California