Sauvignon Blanc

Question 1

In what climates does Sauvignon Blanc best grow?

Answer 1

Cool to moderate

Question 2

What is the typical sweetness, acidity level and body of wines made with Sauvignon blanc?

Answer 2

Dry
High acidity
Light to medium body

Question 3

What are the distinctive aroma characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 3

Herbaceous (grass, capsicum, asparagus)

Question 4

What are some typical primary aromas of Sauvignon Blanc, when least ripe and when most ripe?

Answer 4

Least ripe: Apple, gooseberry, grapefruit, wet stone
Most ripe: peach, passionfruit

Question 5

True or false: more complexity can be gained from blending grapes form different vineyard sites with different levels of ripeness.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Sauvignon Blanc is most often a single variety wine, but it is sometimes blended with another variety. Which one?

Answer 6

Semillon

Question 7

What type of vessel is typically used in the winery for producing single variety Sauvignon Blanc wines. Why?

Answer 7

Inert vessels
Distinctive herbaceous characters could be easily overwhelmed by oak flavours.

Question 8

True or false: single variety Sauvignon Blanc wines are typically made to benefit from bottle aging.

Answer 8

False, they are usually best consumed when young and fresh
(Even outstanding quality wines can loose their freshness and become unattractively vegetal)

Question 9

Name 2 AOCs of the Loire in France where Sauvignon Blanc is the only permitted white variety and which produce quality wines with high acidity and aromas of green apple, grass and sometimes wet stone.

Answer 9

Sancerre AOC
Pouilly-Fumé AOC

Question 10

Which AOC in the Loire produces Sauvignon blanc wines which are typically simple, fruity and inexpensive?

Answer 10

Touraine AOC

Question 11

True or false: white wines labelled Bordeaux AOC must be blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

Answer 11

False
They can be single variety Sauvignon Blanc (often are), or Sauvignon blanc Semillon blends

Question 12

What does Sémillon add to the blend?

Answer 12

Body and aging ability

Question 13

Name the 2 AOCs within the greater Bordeaux area which are known for concentrated and complex wines, typically blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, and often matured in oak.

Answer 13

Graves AOC
Pessac-Léognan AOC

Question 14

Can the white wines labelled Graves AOC or Pessac-Léognan AOC benefit from bottle aging?

Answer 14

Yes. The very good or outstanding wines from these AOCs can develop complex flavours of honey and nuts with bottle aging