![]() ![]() Climate is key to its vivid aromas: from cooler to warmer areas its herbal savour ranges from green bell pepper, cut grass and nettle via boxwood to tomato leaf. Sauvignon Blanc loves cooler climes and feels at home in the temperate latitudes of the northern and southern hemispheres, its early to mid-ripening nature has lent itself to cooler inland and brisk coastal areas. It is not mentioned until the early 18th century in Bordeaux where it is a key variety in the dry white wines of Bordeaux, namely those of Graves and Pessac-Léognan where it is usually blended with Sémillon. It first appeared as Sauvignon Fumé of Blanc Fumé in the central Loire and is the grape behind the famous wines of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Its earliest mention dates to 1534 in the Loire Valley when French writer François Rabelais mentioned it under the local name of Fiers. Genetic studies surmise that Sauvignon Blanc must have originated somewhere in central France. Interestingly, most of this growth has been in the New World, far away from the variety’s origins in the temperate regions of central France. What better proof could there be of Sauvignon Blanc’s absolute and enduring popularity?Ĭalculations by the University of Adelaide show that Sauvignon Blanc was the world’s “most expanded” white grape variety of the past decade. Looking back one decade further, there were just 46,000 hectares in 1990, amounting to an almost threefold increase of global Sauvignon Blanc in three decades. Global Sauvignon Blanc plantings have doubled from just over 65,000 hectares in 2000 to almost 130,000 in 2020. Its history is long, its rise has been stellar. ![]() Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world’s most sought-after grape varieties. It is successful when it is flamboyant and convincing when it is demure. Subtler versions have restrained aromas and, if you are lucky, wonderful depth that speaks of site and soil, rounder versions are smooth with oak which brings out the exquisite, full-fruited juiciness at the heart of this variety. The scent is unmistakeable hints of nettle and boxwood, of passion fruit and peach, followed by zesty lime freshness: this is the Sauvignon Blanc we all recognise. ![]()
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