3.11 Sauvignon Blanc Flashcards
Is Sauvignon blanc an aromatic grape?
Yes
What are the signature elements of Sauvignon Blanc (SB)wines?
Dry
Herbaceous aromas
High acid
Light- medium bodied
In what climates does SB thrive?
Cool
Moderate
What herbaceous aromas/flavors are typical in SB?
Fruit aromas/flavors
Grass
Bell pepper
Asparagus
(Green) apple, gooseberry
(Citrus) Grapefruit
(Stone) peach
(Tropical) passionfruit
Describe typical SB production methods
Usually single varietal (sometimes blended with Semillon)
Inert vessels
Wines are usually best when consumed young - With age even excellent examples can develop unpleasant vegetable aromas and flavors
Name three large French wine producing regions responsible for the production of SB.
The Loire Valley
Bordeaux
Languedoc-Roussillon
Name 2 Loire AOCs known for the production of quality SB.
What is the style of these wines?
Sancerre AOC
Pouilly-Fume AOC
Dry
High acid
Green fruit (apple)
Herbaceous (grass, asparagus)
wet stones
Name 1 Loire Valley AOC known for producing SB wines that are typically fruity and inexpensive.
Touraine AOC
What is the climate of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Touraine?
Cool
Name 3 Bordeaux AOCs known for SB production. Describe the style of each.
Bordeaux AOC
Fresh aromas of grass and green apple, either single varietal or blends
Graves AOC and Pessac -Leognan AOC
These wines are typically more concentrated and complex: they are typically blends of SB and Semillon (adds body and age-ability)
Very good and outstanding versions often see aging to develop complex flavors of nuts and honey in the bottle
Why aren’t there significant plantings of Sauvignon Blanc in the South of France?
The South of France is too warm for Sauvignon Blanc to retain its characteristic freshness.
So….. when Sauvignon Blanc is grown in the south of France, it is grown in high elevation sites.
Name an AOC known for SB production in Languedoc-Roussillon
Describe the style of these wines.
Pays d’Oc AOC
Dry
High acid
Tropical fruit ( passion fruit)
Herbaceous (Grass)
Why isn’t new oak usually used on single-varietal Sauvignon Blanc?
Oak flavors tend to overshadow the fruity characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc.
Name a region known for SB production in New Zealand.
What type of climate does it have?
Marlborough
Cool
Describe the style of Marlborough SB.
There are an array of styles!
- Winemakers can blend across diverse sites, or they can bottle single-vineyard wines;
- Winemakers will harvest grapes at different ripeness levels and blend them, or they will bottle from one site that was harvested all at once.
Flavors can range from lean and precise Loire Valley-styled Sauvignon Blanc to super fruity and exaggerated asparagus Sauvignon Blancs. - Others experiment with oak and lees ageing!
Are Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough usually bottled as single varietals or are they blended with other grape varietals?
Single varietal
Name 2 Australian wine regions known for SB production
Margaret River
Adelaide Hills
In Australia, is Sauvignon Blanc bottled as a single varietal or blended with other grape varietals?
Both
When it’s blended, it’s usually with Semillon.
Describe the style of Margaret River SBs.
Most commonly blended with Semillon.
Concentrated herbaceous aromas (grass)
Some producers use some oak aging.
Why is Margaret River a good place to grow Sauvignon Blanc?
Cooled by ocean breezes
Describe the style of Adelaide Hills SBs
Fresh/fruity
Citrus-tropical fruit aromas/flavors
Single variety as well as blends
Why is Adelaide Hills a good place to grow Sauvignon Blanc?
Cooled by altitude
Name 2 regions in Chile that make acceptable to very good quality Sauvignon Blanc.
Casablanca Valley
Central Valley
Describe the climate attributes of Casablanca as well as the quality of their SB wines.
- Morning fog
- Cool ocean breezes
Quality is very good
Describe the climate attributes of Chile’s Central Valley as well as the quality of their SB wines
Larger and warmer than Casablanca
Range of quality: inexpensive to very good
In general, is South Africa too warm for quality SB production?
Yes!
What 2 areas in South Africa are known for making refreshing Sauvignon Blanc?
Constantia (cooled by breezes from Southern Ocean)
Elgin (cooled by altitude) (often called the coolest region in South Africa.
Describe the style of Constantia SB.
Tropical fruit
Herbaceous
Describe the style of Elgin SB.
Green fruit (apple)
Wet stone
What’s the one area in California known for its Sauvignon Blanc?
Napa Valley
(most of California is too warm to produce herbaceous SB)
What technique is used in California to retain freshness in SB?
To add complexity?
Early harvest (as well as site selection)
Oak ageing (adds body and smoky aromas/flavors)
