Sauvignon Blanc

Question 1

In what climates does Sauvignon Blanc prefer to grow?

Answer 1

• Cool
• Moderate

Question 2

Describe the general style of Sauvignon Blanc.

Answer 2

• Dry
• High acidity
• Light to medium body
• Aromatic/floral
• Herbaceous (grass, bell pepper, asparagus)
• Fruits range from gooseberry to passionfruit
• Most are unoaked

Question 3

What grape is typically blended with Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 3

Semillon/Sémillon

Question 4

When Sauvignon Blanc is made as a single-varietal wine, which type of vessel is it usually fermented in?

Answer 4

Inert vessels such as stainless steel.

Question 5

Why isn’t new oak usually used on single-varietal Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 5

Oak flavors typically overpower the fruity characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 6

When is Sauvignon Blanc normally best consumed?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What are the 2 regions in France that are best known for Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 7

1. Loire
2. Bordeaux

Question 8

Which region in France is known to bottle Sauvignon Blanc as a single-varietal wine?

Answer 8

Loire Valley

Question 9

Which appellations in Loire produce quality Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 9

In descending quality:

1. Sancerre AOC
2. Pouilly-Fumé AOC
3. Touraine AOC

Question 10

Where are Sancerre AOC and Pouilly-Fumé AOC located in relation to one another?

Answer 10

They are across the Loire River from one another.

Question 11

What is the climate of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Touraine?

Answer 11

Cool climate

Question 12

In the cooler climate of the Loire Valley, what characteristics will Sauvignon Blanc express?

Answer 12

• Dry
• High acidity
• Green apple
• Herbaceous
• Wet river rock, especially in Sancerre AOC

Question 13

Which is lower in quality: Touraine AOC or Sancerre AOC?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What 3 appellations in Bordeaux are known for Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 14

In descending order of quality:

1. Péssac-Léognan AOC
2. Graves AOC
3. Bordeaux AOC

Question 15

Which region in France is known to blend Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon?

Answer 15

Bordeaux

Question 16

Of Bordeaux’s 3 appellations known for Sauvignon Blanc, which produces the most generic in style?

Answer 16

Bordeaux AOC

Question 17

Because Bordeaux typically blends Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon, what winemaking technique do many winemakers use?

Answer 17

Barrel aging

White wines from Bordeaux will develop attractive and pleasant aromas from the oak maturation, such as honey and nuts.

Question 18

Why aren’t there significant plantings of Sauvignon Blanc in the South of France?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Which region in New Zealand is identified with Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 19

Marlborough

Question 20

Why are there so many different styles of Sauvignon Blanc coming out of Marlborough?

Answer 20

• 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.

Question 21

Are Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough usually bottled as single-varietal wines or are they blended with other grape varieties?

Answer 21

Single-varietal wines

Question 22

In Australia, is Sauvignon Blanc bottled as a single-varietal wines or blended with other grape varieties?

Answer 22

Both

When it’s blended, it’s usually with Semillon.

Question 23

Name 2 appellations in Australia known for Sauvignon Blanc.

Answer 23

1. Margaret River
2. Adelaide Hills

Question 24

What impact does Semillon/Sémillon have when it’s blended with Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 24

Semillon/Sémillon adds weight and texture to Sauvignon Blanc, giving it a fuller body.

Semillon/Sémillon also gives the wine longer aging potential.

Question 25

Why are Margaret River and Adelaide Hills good places to grow Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 25

Both are cooled by sea breezes, and Adelaide Hills is at a higher altitude.

Adelaide Hills is 600-650 meters (roughly 2000 feet) above sea level.

Question 26

Which 2 regions in Chile make acceptable to very good quality Sauvignon Blanc (in ascending order)?

Answer 26

1. Central Valley
2. Casablanca Valley

Question 27

What makes Casablanca Valley a good place to grow Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 27

• Morning fog
• Cool ocean breezes

Question 28

What 2 areas in South Africa are known for making refreshing Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 28

1. Constantia
2. Elgin

Question 29

What cools down Constantia?

Answer 29

Cool ocean breezes coming up from Antarctica.

Question 30

What cools down Elgin?

Answer 30

Altitude

Elgin is one of the coolest wine growing areas in South Africa.

Question 31

What’s the one area in California known for its Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 31

Napa Valley

Sauvignon Blanc is grown in cooler areas, not on the warm valley floor, to help it retain its acidity.

Question 32

What stylistic choice do some Napa Valley winemakers make with their Sauvignon Blancs?

Answer 32

Oak maturation

Oak maturation adds body, texture, and vanilla/smoky flavors.