L2 - Class 5: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Viognier and Albariño

Question 1

Sauvignon Blanc (Characteristics)

Answer 1

White grape
Aromatic
Known for producing dry whites
High acidity
Herbaceous aromas (grass, green bellpepper, capsicum, asparagus)
Grows in cool & moderate climates
Typically unoaked
Best consumed young & fresh
Flavors: greenfruits (apple, gooseberry), wet stones (minerality), riper tropical (passionfruit)
Complexity can be gained by blending fruit of varying ripeness

Question 2

Sauvignon Blanc (typical smell)

Answer 2

Herbaceous aromas (grass, green bellpepper, capsicum, asparagus)

Question 3

Sauvignon Blanc (typical flavor profile)

Answer 3

Flavors: greenfruits (apple, gooseberry), wet stones (minerality), riper tropical (passionfruit)

Question 4

Sauvignon Blanc (Winemaking)
Is it typically single varietal or blended?
What type of vessel used?

Answer 4

Typically a single varietal wine
Occasionally blended with Semillon
Usually unoaked in an “inert” vessel (
(overwhelmed by oak)

Question 5

What will a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc usually say if it has been aged in oak?

Answer 5

“Barrel-aged”

Question 6

When is the best time to consume Sauvignon Blanc wine?

Answer 6

Sauvignon Blanc is best consumed when it is young because it is a very aromatic grape. The longer it ages, the more it will lose it’s fresh aromas. Within a couple of years vintages can also develop unattractive vegetal notes.

Question 7

What are the important French regions and sub-regions for Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 7

(1) Loire (sub-regions: Sancerre AOC and Pouilly-Fume AOC)
(2) Touraine AOC
(3) Bourdeaux (sub-regions: Bourdeaux AOC, Graves AOC, and Pessac- Leognan AOC)

Question 8

Describe the two most important appellations in the Loire valley for Sauvignon.

Answer 8

(1) Sancerre AOC
Pouilly-Fume AOC
(2) Sauvignon Blanc is the ONLY white varietal permitted in these two appellations.
(3) The two appellations face each other across the Loire River which have a cool climate.
(4) They have dry wines with high acidity and
(5) aromas of green fruit (apple), herbaceous notes (grass, asparagus), and sometimes wet stones.

Question 9

Describe the Touraine AOC appellation for Sancerre.

Answer 9

Grapes for Touraine AOC wines come from the wider Touraine AOC sub-region, to the west of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume.

They are typically fruity and inexpensive.

Question 10

Name the 3 appellations for Sauvignon Blanc in Bourdeaux and describe the characteristics of wine in those regions.

Answer 10

(1) Bourdeaux AOC: the broader Bourdeaux region. Wines typically have fresh aromas of grass and green apple.
(2) Graves AOC
(3) Pessac-Leognan AOC
Both Graves and Pessac-Leognan are more concentrated and complex. These wines are typically a blend of Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc (Semillion adds body to Sauvignon Blanc and helps to age the wine).
Very good wines from Graves and Pessac-Leognan can be aged in oak and will develop complex notes of honey or nuts in the bottle.

Question 11

What grape is typically blended with Sauvignon Blanc in the Graves AOC and Pessac-Leognan AOC appellations?

Answer 11

In these appellations Sauvignon Blanc is typically blended with Semillion. Semillion adds body to Sauvignon Blanc and helps to the wine to age.

Question 12

Describe Sauvignon Blanc from the South of France. [Where does it grow best and why.]

Answer 12

Most of the South of France is too warm for Sauvignon Blanc, but it can grow well in areas that are cooled by altitude.

A typical Sauvignon Blanc from here is dry, high acidity, with tropical fruit flavors (passion fruit) and herbaceous notes (grass).

Question 13

What is the most famous region for New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs?

Answer 13

Marlborough -located at the of New Zealand’s South Island.

Question 14

Describe a Marlborough New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 14

Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough tend to have more pronounced characteristics than from France (Loire).
Typically blends-
From grapes from multiple sites in the region or from grapes harvested at different ripeness levels
Pronounced flavors-
(fruity) Lemon, peach, passionfruit to (capsicum) green bellpepper
Aromas- asparagus
Experimentation is more common in this region-
Some focus on grapes in cooler vineyards to mimic wines from Loire
Others experiment with oak or lees contact to add body or complexity

Question 15

Describe the two wine regions best known for Sauvignon Blanc in Australia.

Answer 15

(1) Margaret River
(Western Australia)
-Single Varietal or more commonly blended (with Semillion)
-Concentrated herbaceous aromas
-Sometimes aged in oak
(2) Adelaide Hills
(Southern Australia)
-Region cooled by altitude and ocean breezes
-Fresh & fruity wines (ranging from citrus to tropical fruit)
-Sometimes blended with Semillion to increase ageing potential

Question 16

What are two regions in Chile known for Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 16

(1) Casablanca Valley
-Known for producing good quality because the area is cooled by sea breezes and morning fogs.
(2) Central Valley
-Known to have a wide variety of quality, from inexpensive labels to very good quality.

Question 17

What are two regions in South Africa known for Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 17

(1) Constantia
-Coastal region south of Cape Town, cooled by ocean breezes from the Southern Ocean
-expect ripe tropical fruit & herbaceous aroma
(2) Elgin
-Known as the “coolest” wine region in South Africa, so Sauvignon Blancs tend to have more green fruit flavors (apple) and wet stone (mineral)

Question 18

Where can the best examples of Sauvignon Blanc be found in the USA?

Answer 18

-Napa Valley (California)
- In general USA is too warm for the fresh/herbaceous style of France/New Zealand
-However, grapes in Napa Valley may be harvested earlier to retain their acidity and herbaceous notes
-Sometimes these are aged in oak to add body & smokey flavor.

Question 19

Why do people like Sauvignon Blanc today?

Answer 19

-It is refreshing, distinctive and recognizable.
-It can be enjoyed with or without food.