Sauvignon Blanc (racy and aromatic)

Good old Sauvignon is now starting its great journey through people's palates all over the world. It's coming from behind the shadow of Chardonnay and French elegant Sauvignon from Loire Valley (see the post on light and elegant SB http://lacantinadinata.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/sauvignon-blanc-light-and-lean-style.html), and I personally believe that many grapes are now battling their pompous, elegant, oh-mon-dieu colleagues from France. Have nothing against France, but just demand justice. May all grapes be equal! For, example, think how expensive is Champagne in comparison to excellent Cava (both made according to "Methode Traditionelle") and you will see what I am getting at ;)

AROMA AND FLAVOUR

Warm-climate Sauvignon is much riper and fruiter than its cousin from cool regions. It produces aromatic wines which are packed with fruits and spices offering a fair amount of perfume that will wake you up!

BEST REGIONS

* NEW ZEALAND - Marlborough

Heaven bless New Zealanders for deciding to grow a traditional French grape in their soils, as they gave Sauvignon a new excellent style. You will taste - above all - happy gooseberry, a bit of dancing passion fruit, with some hypnotising herbs ;)

(http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/Split-Rock-Sauvignon-Blanc-2013/28806)

That said, Marlborough doesn’t have monopoly for wines from Sauvignon. Going south (Waipara/Canterbury) you will stumble upon some leaner representatives of the grape and going north (Martinborough/Wairarapa) you will meet savoury and rich Sauvignon.  So try around!

* SOUTH AFRICA - Cape

Well, well, well… South Africans sure know how to meet needs of those demanding. If you, too, feel like elegant French grape is too “shy”, yet daring New Zealand Sauvignon is too pungent, you should definitely give Western Cape’s wine a try. It is somewhere in between, offering pleasant lime notes.

(http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/The-Rustler-Sauvignon-Blanc-2013/29180)

CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT:

* In Chile some vineyards use a different variety of grape called Sauvignonesse in production of Sauvignon (???) wines. Even though the label still says it is Sauvignon and the name “Sauvignonesse” sounds posh, the wine lacks fruit and is as flat as me in 1^st grade :P

*The Californians have developed an original type of Sauvignon called Fume Blanc. Americans! They always have to do it their way. This one is rich, creamy and often sweet.