Here’s a new, short lesson for today: Sauvignon Blanc wine! We all love this popular, versatile variety, so it will not hurt to know something more about it. Did you know that different wine tastes, regions of origin and food pairing combinations are among the top 5 small-talk topics among gourmands, wine lovers, travelers and adventurists? They always have something new to add to what you already know, but if you know nothing, you cannot really enjoy all their interesting tips about food and wine from different corners of the world. So, get out of the darkness and inform yourself more about Sauvignon Blanc wine:
- Lets start with the name and definition: Sauvignon Blanc means ‘wild white’ and its origins are connected with Traminer in the South of France. The Sauvignon Blanc wine has green and herbaceous flavours which make it so versatile and different from other whites, like Chardonnay for example. As such, the grapes for making Sauvignon Blanc are among the most widely planted grapes in the world.
- The taste of Sauvignon Blanc wine is based on lime, green apple, passion fruits and white peach and its flavours can vary from zesty lime to flowery peach. The uniqueness of this wine is a result of its other flavours like bell pepper, jalapeno, gooseberry and grass, all of which come from the so called pyrazines – aromatic compounds that are the secret to Sauvignon’s taste.
- As I said, Sauvignon Blanc’s grapes are among the most widely planted grapes in the world. There are more than 250 000 acres of Sauvignon grapes planted world-wide, out of which France leads with 71 000 acres. Italy, Spain, Romania and Moldova are close to France when it comes to grape production while New Zealand, USA, Chile and South Africa are the top production regions from the New World.
- As a variety that is so versatile, Sauvignon Blanc wine can be paired with a lot of food choices, depending on the flavour you have chosen. A classic pairing would be the famous goat cheese known as Crottin de Chavigol, produced close to Sancerre in the Loire Valley region with a splash of Sauvignong Blanc. This is the perfect food-wine combination. However, you can choose other food partners for Sauvignon Blanc as well: chicken, pork, fish and all other sea food as well as a wide range of green herbs like parsley and basil.