Words by Helena Nicklin
Sauvignon Blanc. Arguably the most recognisable white grape variety around and the ‘Marmite’ of wines; you either love it or you hate it. This zesty grape is all about cut grass, nettles, gooseberry and wet stone flavours with distinctive aromas that fans describe as elderflower, dissenters as cat pee. It’s an English Country Garden on a crisp, spring morning with its wet stone pathways and damp fern aromas!
Sauvignon Blanc Tasting Tour
Get to know this grape by trying versions from the locations most famous for it:
The Loire Valley, France
France’s Loire Valley is Sauvignon Blanc’s original home, and the villages of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé are two of the most famous names. This is where you’ll find the classic, more reserved style with nettley notes and a mineral tang. Wines from Pouilly Fumé also often have a flinty, smokiness to them thanks to the soil (‘fumé’ means ‘smoked’ in French). Try also wines from Touraine and Menetou-Salon for inexpensive, refreshing versions.
Marlborough, New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc has a permanent holiday home in Marlborough, which is now now arguably even more famous than Sancerre. Equally happy here as it is in France, the flavour volume is turned right up and someone has brought out the tinned asparagus and tropical fruit! You can’t do Sauvignon Blanc without trying one from Marlborough.
Casablanca Valley & Leyda Valley, Chile
For amazing value, with more savoury, smoked grapefruit notes (and sometimes, a little bit of farmer’s armpit), head to cool-climate Chile. Casablanca Valley and Leyda Valley are two regions to look out for, the former offering inexpensive, fruity Sauvignon and the latter, more of a step up in style.
Bordeaux, France
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the two key white grapes of Bordeaux. Here it’s usually blended with Sémillon and oaked a bit to make gorgeously weighty, tropical dry whites as well as sweet whites: enter, Sauternes!
Napa Valley, California
Napa Valley, California - for dry, Sauvignon /Sémillon blends, just like in Bordeaux.
Want some suggestions? These are tried and tested!
Sancerre, ‘Le Fort’, Fouassier, 2018. £24.99 (£19.99 mix 6 price), Majestic
Menetou-Salon, Le Clos du Pressoir Vignobles Joseph Mellot 2018. £18.75 Corney & Barrow
Pouilly Fumé, ‘Les Chaumiennes’, A&E Figeat, 2018. £18.25 Corney & Barrow
Olivier Dubois, cuvée prestige Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine, 2018. £9.99 (£8.99 mix 6) Majestic
Yealands Sauvignon Blanc, £7 on offer at Sainsburys
Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, £11.59 Waitrose
Dourthe, La Grand Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux, £9.49, Ocado
Co-op Irresistible Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, £7, Co-op.
Coyote Mint Sauvignon-Semillon, Napa valley, £13.99 on offer at Laithwaites
