Sauvignon Blanc comes from the French word savage, which means “wild,” as the grape is native to southwestern France. Even though the grape has been planted in France for at least 500 years, Sauvignon Blanc has recently gained appeal because of creative New Zealand wines. 

The grape was first planted in New Zealand in the 1970s, and growers quickly learned that the climate was optimal for maturing Sauvignon Blanc, the country’s most widely planted vine. Sauvignon Blanc has been extremely popular in the last 20 years, with vineyards being established worldwide, from Australia and New Zealand to California, Chile, and South Africa.

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most widely planted white wine grapes globally, valued for its distinctive citrusy, fruity scent and crisp acidity. Sauvignon Blanc can be found in various places, including grocery stores, romance novels, and scented candles. Sauvignon blanc flavours vary depending on where it is grown, ranging from grassy and grapefruity in France and Italy to rich, powerful tropical fruit and jalapeno in New Zealand.

Sauvignon Blanc has become our most popular white wine due to its fragrant and easy-drinking qualities. While it’s best known for being a fruit-forward style with tropical notes, it can also be brewed with additional barrel time to add depth. 

Loire Valley (France)

The Central Vineyards are the epicentre of Sauvignon Blanc production in the Loire Valley, both quality and quantity. These Sauvignon Blanc wines are renowned for their more herbaceous, lime-driven, and grassy flavour and are considered some of the best in the world. 

This region stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Loire River, but the Upper Loire is the crucial growing location for Sauvignon Blanc. During the early growing season, the grapes can be affected by strong winds, frost, and even fog, yet the valley also receives summer sunshine mixed with rain. There is a significant difference in temperature between day and night, regardless of the season.

Sancerre and Pouilly are the most well-known Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. Several areas to the west of Sancerre are also known for their Sauvignon Blanc. Reuilly, Menetou–Salon, and Quincy are all high-quality but less expensive options. Sauvignon Blanc is also planted in Touraine, located in the upper part of the Middle Loire.

Marlborough (New Zealand)

Marlborough, known for its southern latitude as a wine area, is home to 88 percent of New Zealand’s vineyards, with Sauvignon Blanc accounting for most of those vines. Sauvignon Blanc accounts for 80% of all New Zealand wine production. Because of its dry, chilly environment, the Awatere Valley in Marlborough produces wines with substantial acidity and a characteristic herbaceous flavor. 

The first important thing to remember about Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is that it is rarely subtle. The aromas of passion fruit and guava dominate the glass. Familiar scents are lime, jalapeno, mango, bell pepper, lemon curd, honey, grapefruit, and papaya. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has a distinct, if not pleasantly addictive, personality. Rich, fruity aromas contrasted by an asparagus, green grass spicy character are complemented by high enticing acidity. It can be bone dry or somewhat sweet (8 g/l RS).

The southern latitudes of Marlborough contribute to mild winds and cool nights, allowing Sauvignon Blanc to maintain its crisp, bright, and refreshing acidity. Because of its southern margins, it receives more sunlight throughout the summer months (December, January, and February in the Southern Hemisphere), allowing for adequate ripening under these chilly conditions.  

California (United States)

Over the last fifty years, Sauvignon Blanc has played a pivotal role in the growth of wine in the New World. Sauvignon is generally produced in the warmer regions of California and the cooler regions of Oregon and Washington State, even though it is grown in many places. 

The majority of Sauvignon Blanc produced in California is oaked, as it is traditional in the state. Because this grape is generally not oaked, this is an unusual method. The oak ageing adds to the pizazz, with nutmeg scents and a warm wool sweater, cinnamon, yellow plum, and many other spice box elements. In the winter, California Sauvignon Blanc is ideal for cuddling up with; it usually has a higher ABV, approximately 13%, and will make you feel like you’re wearing scarves on the inside.  Fruit flavors like nectarine, Meyer lemon zest, and white peach are purer, without the herbal-grassy overtones prevalent in the region. Because of the climate in California, Sauvignon Blanc wines are best enjoyed by the youth. 

Adelaide Hills and Tasmania (Australia)

The grape varietal grows in Australia’s cooler climatic regions, such as the Adelaide Hills, several Tasmanian regions, and even the Margaret River region, frequently mixed with Semillon to create more textured wine. The Adelaide Hills region and Tasmania are the two most incredible places to start exploring Australian Sauvignon Blanc. In these two areas, the Sauvignon Blanc grapes may acquire the ideal levels of acidity and fresh flavors of tropical fruits and herbs.

Many of the best bottles of cool-climate Australian Sauvignon Blanc come from the Adelaide Hills region, located just to the east of Adelaide’s big South Australian city. Many winemakers in the region make Sauvignon Blanc known for its dry, delightfully acidic character, with flavors of freshly cut grass, zesty herbs, and gooseberry taking center stage.

Tasmania, known for its whiskey distilleries and its local wine industry, is the furthest south of any Australian state or territory, putting Tasmanian winemakers in an ideal position to produce exceptional cool-climate sauvignon blanc. Tasmanian Sauvignon Blanc is known for its high acidity and light body, with herbal and green bell pepper flavors aplenty and fruity notes of gooseberry, passion fruit, and faint peach.

Aconcagua Valley (Chile)

Aconcagua Valley is famous for producing some of the world’s most popular Sauvignon Blanc. The wines are light, crisp, and citrusy, and they’re a lot of fun to drink. Although created from the same grape, Aconcagua Valley Sauvignon Blanc are more affordable and is less intense than New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and fruitier than French Sancerre. 

Sauvignon Blanc has a broad range of flavors, but it is best known for its green notes, which some people enjoy and others dislike. Freshly cut grass, green peppers, and herbs are examples of these flavors. Aconcagua Valley Sauvignon Blanc featureless green tastes and are more citrus-forward. Wines with wonderful grapefruit, passion fruit, or lime flavors are more likely to be found. The wines are usually straightforward but delicious. Casablanca Valley in Chile is also known for its world’s best Sauvignon Blanc.

Coupled with crisp aromas, the delightful and distinctive freshness of Sauvignon Blanc is all you need on a hot summer day or along with a traditional dinner! You can easily buy, store, and even sell the delicate, light body and mellow colour Sauvignon Blanc.

Try Sauvignon Blanc and own every single bottle you buy!