If you are eager to open a refreshing “deck & pool” wine this spring and summer, Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice.

Crisp, tangy, often with flavors of hay, grass, and green herbs, sometimes developing tropical notes, Sauvignon Blanc is a classy white and a “must pour” in warm weather. Thought to be originally from the Bordeaux region of France (or possibly the Loire Valley), it has adapted wonderfully well as an expat.

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New Zealand is considered the grapes finest producer. Austria, Chile, South Africa and California all produce great versions of this lovely wine. It loves cooler climates that let it hang out a long tie and fully develop its perfume, but it also does well in warmer climates where it can develop tropical fruit and apple notes.

5 Little-Known Sauvignon Blanc Facts

  1. Its very easy to match to food. Just remember that it pairs beautifully with anything you would squeeze a lemon on. Cold seafood platter? Check. Grilled Halibut? Check. Roast vegetables? Check. It also is terrific with Gruyere or ripe chèvre cheese and anything garlicky.
  2. It has a romantic past. Centuries ago, in some sunny vineyard in France, Sauvignon Blanc vines met up with Cabernet Franc. The two crossed and it was…well…magic: they created Cabernet Sauvignon.
  3. It has an alias. Fume’ Blanc – coined in California in the 1960’s and popularized by Robert Mondavi. Fume’ Blanc is Sauvignon Blanc. Sometimes it is aged in oak, giving it smokey notes (fume’ means smoke), but it is not required that it be aged in oak.
  4. It has a French best friend. In France, Sauvignon Blanc is often blended with Semillion.
  5. It has a wild side. It requires a lot of hands-on vineyard work to keep this vigorous vine from growing out of control (“sauvignon” means “wild”).

Wine connoisseurs often describe the grapes “grassy” taste. Such a comparison may be due to the wines high acidity levels and low sugar levels.

 

This article originally appeared in CWA blog.