Chapter 11 - Sauvignon Blanc Flashcards
Describe Sauvignon Blanc
Aromatic white Cool-Moderate climates Typically dry Light-medium body High Acidity Herbaceous/floral aromas. Flavors: green fruit and wet stone to riper tropical fruit. Complexity through blending grapes of varying ripeness.
What style of winemaking is used with Sauvignon Blanc?
Often single varietal, sometimes blended with Semillon.
Most commonly in inert vessels.
Best consumed young.
What countries are notable for Sauvignon Blanc?
France - New Zealand - Australia - Chile - South Africa - USA
What are the notable regions producing Sauvignon Blanc in France?
Loire:
Sancerre AOC & Pouilly-Fume AOC, Touraine AOC
Bordeaux AOC:
Graves AOC, Pessac-Leognan AOC
South of France
Explain Loire Sauvignon Blanc
Sancerre and Poilly-Fume are across the Loire from each other, both having a cool climate.
Dry, high acid, green fruit, herbaceous. (sometimes wet stone)
Touraine is west of Sancerre and is a sub region. Typically fruity and inexpensive.
Explain Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc
Bordeaux AOC- grass/green apple
Graves AOC and Pessac-Leognan AOC - More concentrated/complex. Typically blends of sauv blanc and semillon (for body).
V.good or outstanding from these AOCs are often matured in oak and gain tertiary flavors of honey and nuts in bottle.
Explain Sauv Blanc in the South of France
Mostly too warm for S.Blanc
High altitude cool areas produce well.
Dry, high acid, tropical fruit (passion fruit) and herbaceous (grass)
Where is Sauvignon Blanc notably grown in New Zealand? Explain the region/wine.
Marlborough
North of South island. More pronounced wines than Loire.
Often blended across sites, different ripeness levels. This leads to a broader range of fruit flavor along with vegetal (g. bell pep and asparagus)
Very experimental and varied. Some like Loire, some with oak or lees.
Where is Sauvignon Blanc notably grown in Australia? Explain the region and wine
Margaret River and Adelaide Hills
Margaret River - (W Aus) Reputable for SB as both single varietal as well as semillon blend. Typically herbaceous grass and some with oak.
Adelaide Hills - (S Aus) Cooled by altitude and ocean breezes. Fresh/fruity, broad range of flavor (citrus to tropical). Some blended w/ semillon for fuller bodied wines with more age potential.
Where is Sauvignon Blanc notably grown in Chile?
Casablanca Valley - Central Valley
Describe the styles of Sauvignon Blanc in Chilean regions
Casablanca Valley - Reputation for very good quality, cooled by seas breezes and morning fog.
Central Valley - range of quality from cheap high volume to very good examples.
Where is Sauvignon Blanc notably Grown in South Africa?
Constantia - Elgin
Describe the styles of Sauvignon Blanc in S African regions
Constantia - (south of cape town) cooled by breezes from southern ocean. Refreshing SB with ripe tropical fruit and herbaceous aromas
Elgin - Cooled by altitude and cited as coolest wine region in S.Africa. Typically green fruit (apple) and sometimes wet stones.
Where is Sauvignon Blanc notably grown in the USA?
v.good examples from the cooler areas of the Napa valley
