Sauvignon Blanc of the World
As you probably know, I am a student at the Institute of Masters of Wine in the UK. In 2019, I passed the first exam, moved to the second stage of the programme and I am now actively preparing for the next exams. In the blind tasting practical exam, the most common questions are identifying the grape variety and origin of the wine.
In this article, I am going to talk about how to identify a wine made from Sauvignon Blanc as well as its place of origin in a blind tasting.
As you might imagine, wines made from Sauvignon Blanc are not exactly the same all over the wine world. They do have something in common, but there are also characteristic differences. It is these differences that enable you to determine the wine’s place of origin in a blind tasting.
How can you do this? First you need to know the basic organoleptic characteristics of the grape variety and its traditional vinification methods.
Main about Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape native to the Loire Valley in France that is mainly used to produce still dry wines. There are, however, exceptions. For example, sparkling wines are also made from Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand. Also, Sauvignon Blanc is used to produce sweet wines.
As a rule, Sauvignon Blanc is used to produce monovarietal wines, but it can also be blended with various grape varieties. Its classic blending partner is the white Semillon grape.
Fermentation usually takes place in stainless steel tank, but sometimes in large oak cask; ageing also takes place in stainless steel tank, but sometimes in oak barrel. Maceration on the skin may take place.
Organoleptic characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc
The main organoleptic characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc include the following:
- light colour intensity
- the colour is usually lemon green
- intense to moderate aromas
- typical aromas are asparagus, green bell pepper, passion fruit, kiwi, gooseberry and tomato leaf
- there is typically high acidity, but it can, for example, be moderate in the Napa Valley in California
- as a rule, there is moderate alcohol, ranging from 11% to 13.5% abv, but there may also be 14% and even 14.5% abv in the Napa Valley
If you have found such characteristics in your glass, you can conclude that this wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc. Then it remains to determine the wine’s place of origin.
Popular geography of production of Sauvignon Blanc
The world’s largest plantings of Sauvignon Blanc are found in the Loire Valley in France. New Zealand ranks second in terms of area of Sauvignon Blanc vineyards. Sauvignon Blanc is also popular in the USA, Australia, Chile and South Africa.
France
Loire Valley
Old World wines typically have a more restrained, closed and mineral nose than New World wines. However, this distinction is becoming less and less clear. The most popular region for Sauvignon Blanc is the Loire Valley and, in particular, three appellations: Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and Menetou-Salon.
Sancerre wines have a restrained nose of moderate intensity, a characteristic herbaceous aroma, notes of asparagus and minerality, in particular, chalk. Vinification usually takes place in stainless steel tank. On the palate, there is high crisp acidity, moderate alcohol of 12.5-13% abv and a light body.
In Pouilly-Fumé, the nose includes characteristic notes of flint, while wines are richer and fuller than those from Sancerre. Vinification also in stainless steel vat.
In Menetou-Salon, the wines are less mineral on the nose and more rounded on the palate.
Bordeaux
In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is widespread in the appellations of Entre-Deux-Mers, Graves and Pessac-Leognan, which produce still dry wines, while Barsac and Sauternes produce still sweet wines made from botrytised grapes. One distinctive feature is also a restrained nose, but less mineral than in the Loire Valley.
Ripe aromas (lime, kiwi, passion fruit), less piercing acidity than in the Loire Valley, moderate alcohol of 13-13.5% abv and a medium body. This is all due to Bordeaux having a warmer climate than the Loire Valley.
May be aged in oak. French oak, including new, is used in the appellations of Pessac-Leognan, Graves, Sauternes and Barsac. In Bordeaux, as a rule, Sauvignon Blanc is blended with Semillon.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, they are very intense, with an open nose, riper aromas: passion fruit, kiwi, tomato leaf and gooseberry. On the palate, high crisp acidity reminiscent of the Loire Valley, moderate alcohol of 12.5-13% abv and a light body. Aged in stainless steel tanks, but also in oak barrel.
Popular regions: Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury.
Australia
Australia’s most famous regions for Sauvignon Blanc are Margaret River and Adelaide Hills.
Margaret River is usually a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. More open and aromatic nose than in Bordeaux, aromas of gooseberry and tropical fruit. May be aged in French oak, but as a rule, it is vinified and aged in stainless steel tanks. Fresh acidity on the palate and 13.5% abv.
In Adelaide Hills, Sauvignon Blanc is usually monovarietal, boasting an open, aromatic nose with aromas of citrus fruit peel, high acidity and taut style. It is not aged in oak.
USA
In the United States, California is a popular state for producing Sauvignon Blanc, in particular the Sonoma and Napa Valley regions.
Distinctive characteristics: a more open, less mineral nose than in the Old World, but not as intense as in New Zealand or Australia. Aromas of tropical fruit, may be aged in oak (Fumé Blanc), moderate to mild acidity, high alcohol of 14% or even 14.5% abv and a medium or full body.
South Africa
South African versions show an intense, direct, fruity nose, but less tropical than those from New Zealand. Aromas of gooseberry and tomato leaf, high acidity, alcohol of 12.5% abv, a light body, ageing in stainless steel tank and light mineral salinity on the palate. Higher fruit concentration than in Chile.
Popular regions are Stellenbosch, Elgin and Elim. There are also certain characteristic differences between these regions. For example, Stellenbosch showcases aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and green bell pepper. In Elgin and Elim, the wines have a herbaceous nose and slight mineral salinity on the palate.
Chile
In Chile, distinct characteristics are: a noticeably grassy and less fruity nose, not as intense as New Zealand or South Africa. Moderate alcohol of 12.5% abv, a light body, high acidity, aged in steel and lower fruit concentration on the palate.
Popular regions: Casablanca, San Antonio, Curico and Maule.
Conclusion
It is important to understand that when considering Sauvignon Blanc wines from France, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, USA and Chile, I have described typical wines, but there may be exceptions to any rule.
LEONID FADEEV, Stage 2 MW Student, WSET / IWSC “The Future 50” winner, Weinakademiker, DipWSET, WorldSom Magister Sommelier, Executive Director of JSC Cote Rocheuse