While it has been used in winemaking for centuries, the grapes of Sauvignon Blanc were not well-known enough to be sought out by name until a relatively short time ago, when New Zealand began cultivating it in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Since that time it has increasingly become one of the most popular and sought-after wines from the southern hemisphere.
An Anonymous History
This varietal of grape has long been grown in the Bordeaux region of France, dating at least as far back as the 1600s. It has been known by many different names, including Petit Sauvignon, Jaune, Sauvignon Fume, and Fume Blanc. The exact origin of the grape is unknown, and it may be a descendant of an indigenous grape called savagnin. In France it was often blended with other grapes to make sweet wines such as Sauternes, and continues to be part of the recipe for white wines such as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé today. However, it was often not listed on the label, so the grape never gained the notoriety to be asked for by name.
New Zealand Refreshes the Recipe
It was not until the grape varietal was taken to New Zealand and Australia, where the warmer climate proved to be exceptional for the grape and it thrived, that it gained its current popularity. Rather than continue blending it with others, New Zealand winemakers began producing it as a standalone product with a bold, refreshing taste.
At that time in the 1980s, several countries were growing this grape varietal and aging it with strong oak overtones, and it was not very popular. In California it had even been renamed Fume Blanc in an attempt to sell more. However, with the success of New Zealand’s version of the wine, which eliminated the oaky flavor, the rest of the world began replicating its recipe, including South Africa, Chile, California, and even the Bordeaux region of France, and worldwide sales thrived.
Wine Enthusiasts Take Notice
One of the things wine enthusiasts love most about this varietal is that depending on where your grapes come from, each glass may taste entirely different from the same grape varietals grown in a different part of the world. The grapes have thick skins and grow tall and upright, producing small bunches of fruit. In some parts of France, the climate creates sweet, rich grapes that are often made into dessert wines, while the Australian and New Zealand versions tend to be more acidic, aggressive, and smoky in flavor.
If you are searching for a bottle of this Sauvignon, look for bottles packaged with a screw cap instead of a cork, as it tends to be best when consumed young to truly be able to capture the fruity and acidic flavors, and does not benefit from aging the way some other wines tend to do.
The versatility of these wines has also made it a favorite for many throughout the world. Some of the sweeter varieties from France can be easily enjoyed as dessert wines, while the grassy, acidic varieties are excellent when paired with appetizers and salads, as well as fish, oysters, and even sushi. Because of this versatility, combined with an instantly likeable flavor, Sauvignon Blanc has become a popular table wine in America and all over the world.
The post The Growing Renown Of Sauvignon Blanc appeared first on Learn About Wine, Wine Basics on Reds, Whites, and Varietals | Two Guys Wine.