Sauvignon Blanc Flashcards
In what climates does Sauvignon Blanc prefer to grow?
- Cool
- Moderate
Describe the general style of Sauvignon Blanc.
- Dry
- High acidity
- Light to medium body
- Aromatic/floral
- Herbaceous (grass, bell pepper, asparagus)
- Fruits range from gooseberry to passionfruit
- Most are unoaked
What grape is typically blended with Sauvignon Blanc?
Semillon/Sémillon
When Sauvignon Blanc is made as a single-varietal wine, which type of vessel is it usually fermented in?
Inert vessels such as stainless steel.
Why isn’t new oak usually used on single-varietal Sauvignon Blanc?
Oak flavors typically overpower the fruity characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc.
When is Sauvignon Blanc normally best consumed?
In its youth
Especially when fruit flavors and herbaceous notes are at their freshest.
Sauvignon Blanc can develop unappealing flavors (decaying vegetables) as it ages.
What are the 2 regions in France that are best known for Sauvignon Blanc?
- Loire
- Bordeaux
Which region in France is known to bottle Sauvignon Blanc as a single varietal?
Loire Valley
Which appellations in Loire produce quality Sauvignon Blanc?
In descending quality:
1. Sancerre AOC
2. Pouilly-Fumé AOC
3. Touraine AOC
Where are Sancerre AOC and Pouilly-Fumé AOC located in relation to one another?
They are across the Loire River from one another.
What is the climate of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Touraine?
Cool climate
In the cooler climate of the Loire Valley, what characteristics will Sauvignon Blanc express?
- Dry
- High acidity
- Green apple
- Herbaceous
- Wet river rock, especially in Sancerre AOC
Which is lower in quality: Touraine AOC or Sancerre AOC?
Touraine AOC
Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine AOC will be inexpensive, come from a broader area, and will be more simple and fruit-forward than Sancerre. it’s usually acceptable to good quality, but never high quality
What 3 appellations in Bordeaux are known for Sauvignon Blanc?
In descending order of quality:
1. Péssac-Léognan AOC
2. Graves AOC
3. Bordeaux AOC
Which region in France is known to blend Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon?
Bordeaux
Of Bordeaux’s 3 appellations known for Sauvignon Blanc, which produces the most generic in style?
Bordeaux AOC
Because Bordeaux typically blends Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon, what winemaking technique do many winemakers use?
Barrel aging
White wines from Bordeaux will develop attractive and pleasant aromas from the oak maturation, such as honey and nuts.
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.
But when Sauvignon Blanc is grown in the south of France, it is at higher elevation.
Which region in New Zealand is identified with Sauvignon Blanc?
Marlborough
Why are there so many different styles of Sauvignon Blanc coming out of Marlborough?
- 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.
Are Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough usually bottled as single varietals or are they blended with other grape varietals?
Single varietal
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.
Name 2 appellations in Australia known for Sauvignon Blanc.
- Margaret River
- Adelaide Hills
What impact does Semillon/Sémillon have when it’s blended with Sauvignon Blanc?
Semillon/Sémillon adds weight and texture to Sauvignon Blanc, giving it a fuller body.
Semillon/Sémillon also gives the wine longer aging potential.
