Sauvignon Blanc wines

Sauvignon Blanc wines are elegant white wines, they can be dry or sweet, harvested late or affected by noble rot. They are all fresh, intensely aromatic and wild wines. These characteristics might be where its name comes from, taking the French words sauvage and blanc.

The Sauvignon Blanc variety is native to France, but it is now cultivated in various wine regions around the world. It grows in the new world in Chile, California, New Zealand and Australia, and in the old world, in Spain, particularly in the Rueda and Penedès regions.

Some say that Sauvignon Blanc comes from mutations of Savagnin strains, others say it came from Carmenère strains. Either way, it is very likely that it originated in western France, or in the Loire Valley area and in Bordeaux. The clusters are small and very compact, with small berries and a fairly thick skin. It is very well suited to soils that are not very compact, do not get water-logged and are not very fertile.

Due to its freshness and great aromatic intensity, many Sauvignon Blanc wines are made for enjoying straight away. It is no surprise that young wines made with this variety were among the first to be bottled with screw caps. However, there are some Sauvignon Blanc wines that have great aging potential. The longest-living are the dry and sweet wines from Bordeaux and those made in the Loire Valley, especially in Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre.

In terms of tasting, Sauvignon Blanc wines tend to be quite light and very fresh on the palate thanks to their good acidity. On the nose, especially when young, they are intensely aromatic, with hints of flowers, white fruit and herbaceous notes; however, if they have been aged in barrels and in bottles, they reveal more mineral, honey and toasted aromas. In general, in cold climates, Sauvignon Blanc wines tend to have high acidity, floral aromas and mineral and herbaceous hints. In hot climates, they tend to develop more tropical fruit aromas and their freshness and high acidity are somewhat mitigated.

The characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc make it the perfect wine to drink as an aperitif with olives, cured meats, fish or creamy and soft cheeses. It is also perfect for pairing with starters like complex salads, steamed or grilled seafood, sushi or even slightly richer dishes like pasta, rice or white meat.