4.5 | Principal White Grape Variety - Sauvignon Blanc

Question 1

What are the key characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 1

aromatic white.
grows in cool/moderate climate
dry
light to medium body
High acidity. Herbaceous (grass, green bell pepper, asparagus), blossom/floral.
fruit varies based on grape ripeness. unripe: green-fruit (apple, gooseberry), wet stones
ripe grapes: tropical fruit (passionfruit)

Question 2

Sauvignon blanc is typically a single-varietal wine but sometimes blended with which variety?

Answer 2

Semillon

Question 3

True/False: Sauvignon is rarely oaked to preserve herbaceous aromas?

Answer 3

true

Question 4

Important regions for Sauvignon BLanc?

Answer 4

France: Loire, Bordeaux, South of France

New Zealand: Marlborough

Australia: Margaret River, Adelaide Hills

Chile: Casablanca Valley, Central Valley.

South Africa: Constantia, Elgin

USA: Napa Valley

Question 5

What are the 3 appellations in the Loire Valley known for producing Sauvignon Blanc? what are their main characteristics?

Answer 5

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé: cool climate. dry, high acid. Green-fruit (apple), herbaceous, sometimes wet stones
Touraine (fruity and inexpensive)

Question 6

What are the 3 main appellations in Bordeaux known for Sauvignon Blanc? What are their main characteristics?

Answer 6

Bordeaux AOC - simple, fresh aromas of grass and apple

Graves AOC and Pessac Léognan AOC - Sauvignon Blanc typically blended with Semillon. Sémillon adds body and helps it ageworthy. more conentrated and complex than Bordeaux AOC. often matured in oak. develops complex flavors in bottle, evolves honey and nuts tertiary aromas.

Question 7

Though South of France has a warm climate, certain areas are able to grow Sauvignon Blanc successfully. Which areas are these?

Answer 7

areas moderated by high altitude

Question 8

what are the typical characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc from the South of France?

Answer 8

dry, high acid, tropical fruit (passionfruit) and herbaceous (grass)

Question 9

What enables Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to have a broad range of fruit flavors ranging from lemon, to peach, to passionfruit (alongside herbaceous flavors)?

Answer 9

it is often blended across sites or grapes of varying ripeness

Question 10

which region is known for experimenting with Sauvignon blanc from cooler sites, and with oak or lees contact?

Answer 10

Marlborough

Question 11

True/False: Sauvignon blanc from margaret river is always single-varietal and unoaked

Answer 11

false. it is more often blended with semillon. it is sometimes oaked. It displays concentrated herbaceous aromas

Question 12

what are characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc from Adelaide Hills, in South Australia?

Answer 12

Sauvignon blanc is the most widely planted variety in Adelaide Hills, cooled by ocean breeze and altitude.
Fresh, fruity style that ranges from citrus to tropical fruit.
Some are blended with Semillon

Question 13

which 2 regions in Chile are primary regions for Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 13

Casablanca Valley (coastal region. Cooled by sea breezes, morning fog. makes very good SB)
Central Valley (range from high-volume to very good)

Question 14

Where in South Africa are regions known for growing Sauvignon Blanc typically located?

Answer 14

coastal regions (inland is too warm)

Question 15

What is the climate in Constantia, South Africa? What are characteristics of its Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 15

cooled by sea breezes. refreshing SB with ripe tropical and herbaceous

Question 16

True/False: Elgin is a large, warm region in South Africa.

Answer 16

False. elgin is a small region notable for being the coolest wine region in South Africa. Its Sauvignon blanc displays aromas of green-fruit (apple), sometimes wet stones

Question 17

Sauvignon Blanc grows in cooler areas of Napa Valley. It is often harvested early - why?

Answer 17

to retain acidity, and herbaceousness.

sometimes it comes into oak contact in wines of Napa, to add body/flavor of smoke.