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Sauvignon Blanc grape
Photo: Sue Winston on Unsplash
Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape known for grapefruit, lime, fresh herbs. Its best-known homes are Loire, Marlborough, Bordeaux.
Origin and history
From western France (the Loire and Bordeaux); its name means 'wild white', and it is a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Where it grows
Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the Loire, Bordeaux, Marlborough, Casablanca and Leyda in Chile, South Africa, Styria and California.
Structure
Light to medium body, high acidity and very aromatic.
Aromas, young and aged
Gooseberry, cut grass, green pepper, passion fruit, grapefruit and, in the Loire, a flinty, smoky note.
Ageing
Best young and fresh (1–3 years); oaked Bordeaux whites and top Pouilly-Fumé can age longer.
Also known as
Fumé Blanc (oaked style, a name coined by Robert Mondavi in California).
Good to know
Blended with Sémillon it makes both dry white Bordeaux and the sweet wines of Sauternes.
Wine regions for Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Château d'Yquem Château d'Yquem
Bordeaux · Sauternes · Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc
Golden and luscious: apricot, honey, saffron and bright acidity from noble rot.
Food: Foie gras, Roquefort, fruit tarts
Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Les Baronnes
Loire Valley · Sancerre · Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp and mineral: grapefruit, gooseberry and chalky freshness.
Food: Goat's cheese, asparagus
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Zesty and aromatic: passion fruit, lime and fresh-cut grass.
Food: Goat's cheese, Thai salad
Jermann Vintage Tunina
Friuli-Venezia Giulia · Venezia Giulia · Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia
Rich field-blend white: honey, ripe pear, flowers and herbs, long and textured.
Food: Seafood risotto, white meats, mild cheese
Casas del Bosque Reserva Sauvignon Blanc
Casablanca Valley · Casablanca · Sauvignon Blanc
Cool-climate zing: lime, passion fruit and fresh green herbs.
Food: Goat cheese, ceviche, green salads
Viña Leyda Single Vineyard Garuma Sauvignon Blanc
Leyda Valley · Leyda · Sauvignon Blanc
Ocean-cooled and racy: grapefruit, herbs and a salty mineral finish.
Food: Oysters, shellfish, sushi
Château Suduiraut Lions Secs de Suduiraut
Bordeaux · Bordeaux Blanc · Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc
Dry white from a Sauternes estate: citrus, beeswax and fresh texture.
Food: Fish, salads
Château Lynch-Bages Blanc de Lynch-Bages
Bordeaux · Bordeaux Blanc · Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle
Rare white from Pauillac: citrus, exotic fruit and toasty oak.
Food: Turbot, chicken
Gérard Fiou Sancerre
Loire Valley · Sancerre · Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp Sancerre: grapefruit, gooseberry and flinty minerality.
Food: Goat's cheese, fish
Domaine Hubert Brochard Sancerre Le Cul de Beaujeu
Loire Valley · Sancerre · Sauvignon Blanc
From one of Sancerre's steepest slopes: intense, mineral and long.
Food: Crottin de Chavignol, scallops
de Ladoucette Pouilly-Fumé
Loire Valley · Pouilly-Fumé · Sauvignon Blanc
Classic Pouilly-Fumé: citrus, smoke and flinty freshness.
Food: Fish, asparagus
Pascal Jolivet Attitude Sauvignon Blanc
Loire Valley · Val de Loire · Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh, zesty Loire Sauvignon: citrus and green herbs.
Food: Salads, seafood
Mas de Daumas Gassac Réserve de Gassac Blanc
Languedoc-Roussillon · Pays de l'Hérault · Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier
Fresh, aromatic Languedoc white blend.
Food: Salads, fish
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Poggio alle Gazze dell'Ornellaia
Tuscany · Toscana IGT · Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier
Ornellaia's white: aromatic, fresh and gently textured.
Food: Fish, pasta
Salt River Savage Sauvignon Blanc
Stellenbosch · Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp Cape Sauvignon with citrus and green herbs.
Food: Goat's cheese, salads
Similar white grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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