Oh, if only the choice of wine was as simple as deciding between red and white. In actuality, there are several thousand varieties of both ‘reds’ and ‘whites’ to choose from.

For the month of August, we will turn our focus to the varietal Sauvignon Blanc and share with you some of our favorites.

Sauvignon Blanc, one of the most distinctive grapes, is a highly aromatic variety that does well in both the old and new world.  From the Loire Valley of France to Marlborough in New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc has found many regions that bring out it unique and delicious flavors.

Sauvignon Blanc’s home is the Loire Valley of France, where it produces the crisp, grassy mineral-tinged wines of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume (not to be mistaken with Pouilly Fuisse in Burgundy – that would be Chardonnay). Wine of this region is crisp and grassy, with delicious minerality and an occasional gun flint/smokey character. In the 1970’s, New Zealand planted its first cuttings of Sauvignon Blanc, which in turn brought the country to the forefront of the wine world. In New Zealand, the variety exudes its typical crisp acidity, as well as pungent passion fruit and grapefruit aromas and flavors.

depositphotos_2449319-stock-photo-sauvignon-blanc-wine-grapesCalifornia, Sauvignon Blanc is produced both in stainless steel (like New Zealand and France) and with a touch of oak. The wooded versions maintain the acidity of the grape but tone down the intense citrus flavors with subtle oak characteristics. Winemakers differ in their addition or choice of oak.

Staff Picks

Kono Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand          

Intense citrus and gooseberry flavors with notes of capsicum and passionfruit. A blend of fruits from the Awatere, Waihopai, and Lower Wairau Valleys gives this Sauvignon Blanc the classic Marlborough fruit burst with great palate weight and a clean, acid finish.

 

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand          

Our Starborough Sauvignon Blanc has layers of citrus and tropical fruit with hints of fresh green characters, which make the wine a true expression of the Marlborough region. Flavors of passion fruit, guava and kiwi layered over a citrus framework culminate in a crisp, approachable palate.

 

The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand         

Shows lifted grassy, herbal notes, underpinned with citrus notes.  The palate is full with pure fruit flavors, yet balanced with a persistent, crisp mineral finish.  Enjoy with both fresh and cooked seafood dishes such as oysters, prawns, and fish.

 

Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley      

Aromas are fresh and clean, evoking the scent of early morning after a first rain, with a hint of honeysuckle and underlying notes of tangerine and wet stone. The wine enters the palate with a crisp yet soft quality, flowing into flavors of flower blossom and ending with a mouthwatering finish of fresh-squeezed grapefruit. A long-lasting, zesty minerality leaves the sensation of both subtlety and brightness.

Prophecy Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand          

Prophecy Sauvignon Blanc showcases the best of New Zealand’s renowned Marlborough region. Aromas of grapefruit, lychee and lime zest lead to flavors of mandarin orange and green apple, followed by delicate notes of mineral and white tea.

 

 Marisco Vineyards, The Ned Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand   7

The Ned Sauvignon Blanc has intense, almost electric citrus and green apple scents with hints of elderflower, chopped herbs and pea pods. Clean, crisp and refreshing in the mouth, it has mouthwatering citrus flavors and a good, long finish.” ~ 87, Wine Advocate December 2014

 

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand     

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc embodies the quintessential Marlborough style—full-flavored and medium-bodied with notes of juicy peach, ripe tropical fruit and tart and herbaceous gooseberry. Showcasing a brilliant straw color and bright acidity, this elegant wine refreshes the palate with a long, clean finish.

 

Daniel Chotard Sancerre, Loire Valley France     

Daniel and his son Simon farm the slopes of the village Crezancy-en-Sancerre, where flint meets clay and the famous Kimmeridgian limestone. He practices sustainable farming, and uses organic composts to treat the vines. Typically, he harvests his grapes later than his neighbors which results in less acidity and a fuller body than is typical of the appellation.

 

Bota Box Sauvignon Blanc, Chile  

35 Wine Enthusiast Best Buys.  Opens with lively aromas of zesty citrus, pineapple and lemongrass.  This crisp, medium-bodied wine has juicy flavors of honeydew melon, banana and lime that extend into a clean, refreshing finish.

 

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand       

Our Sauvignon Blanc is all about expressive fruit flavours. The wine possesses a light straw colour and tropical aromas of passionfruit, mango and citrus. The palate exhibits the same fine flavours followed by a crisp, dry, finish with a touch of minerality.

 

Domaine du Salvard Sauvignon Blanc Unique, Loire Valley France        

The Delaille family who runs Domaine du Salvard produces stellar wines in the Loire Valley region of Cheverny and their 100% Sauvignon Blanc bottling called “Unique” is truly that. This wine boasts an incredibly bright personality with zippy, zingy flavors of gooseberry, grass, kiwi and grapefruit that leave your palate thoroughly refreshed and invigorated.

 

 Peju Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley    

Expresses the perfect balance of robust tropical fruit and fresh green florals. Light with refreshing acidity, the initial sip offers juicy flavors of orange blossom, passion fruit and papaya moving into flavors of vibrant melon and hints of grapefruit. With a fresh, clean finish this wine is the perfect pairing for salads, seafood and hot sunny days.

 

Pacifico Sur Sauvignon Blanc, Valle Central Chile    

Pacífico Sur Estate Sauvignon Blanc has a bright yellow tint with glints of green. Its prominent aromas of lime and grapefruit blend harmoniously with herbs and floral notes. In the mouth it is soft, citric and refreshing to the palate.

 

 Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand     

Pale straw in colour with green highlights, This wine has sweet ripe fruit characters with a delightful mix of citrus, floral, pear and tropical fruit and a crisp nettle highlight. This powerful wine is almost pungent in its intensity with full fruit flavours across the spectrum, from ripe tropical fruit to lush pink grapefruit.

 

Domaine Fournier Sauvignon Blanc, Loire Valley France     

Domaine Fournier Sauvignon is a dry, fresh white wine with a powerful aroma. It has a particular flavor originating from a mix of currant bushes in buds, grapes of table and passion fruits.

 

Elizabeth Spencer Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino California         

The aromas in this wine are very complex with white peach and apricot, yellow grapefruit, and lemon blossoms erupting from the glass. The fruit aromatics carry through on the entry and lend sweetness to the mineral driven pallet. The wine has very appealing ripeness and great balancing acidity. This is a medium to light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc, where the complexity of stone fruit and green apples, yield to a very citrusy, crisp finish. Certified Organic.

 

 Puzelet Bonhomme Touraine Sauvignon Sayonara, Loire Valley France          

This wine is beautiful and is well worth trying. 13 grams of residual sugar per liter with lovely white fruits and stony aromas. The palate is dense and deep and backed with good acidity with terrific length. Delicious! As the name also indicates, it’s a tiny production, with a long fermentation in barrel to exhaust the capacities of the wild yeasts.

Stay Tuned……More to come!!!

 

 

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