Sauvignon Blanc Description

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular white wines in the world. This wine is renowned for its citrus notes, such as white peach, grapefruit, and lime, and its tangy aromas of cut grass and bell peppers.

Sauvignon Blanc refers to both the grapes and the wines. Originating from the Bordeaux region of France, it gets its name from the French words sauvage meaning wild, and blanc, meaning white. 

Although native to France, this grape is now grown in many world wine regions.

Sauvignon Blanc grapes are made into a wide variety of wine styles, the most popular being dry, fresh, and aromatic wines.

How Would You Describe Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned white grape variety that produces a light-colored aromatic dry white wine with a refreshing acidity level. It is famous for its “grassy” aroma and is easily the most loved white wine globally. 

Sauvignon Blanc expresses terroir very well. Grown in cooler climates and harvested early, gives the wine its distinguished herbaceous taste. While in warmer climates, the taste is more fruity, like grapefruit or passion fruit.

It is also known by other names. For instance, in Italy, it is called Sauvignon Bianco. In the United States, it is Fumé Blanc, and in Austria, it is known as Muskat-Silvaner.

Sauvignon Blanc has a low to moderate alcohol level, ranging from 12.5% to 14% ABV. This wine is usually aged in stainless steel to preserve its natural flavor and acidity. 

But sometimes, it is blended with other white wines and aged in oak barrels. This imparts a spicy, woody profile to the wine. 

 

What Does Sauvignon Blanc Look Like?

Like all white wines, Sauvignon Blanc is a pale yellow-gold hue with the exception of having hints of green color. In addition, aged Sauvignon Blanc wine can change color from greenish-yellow to straw yellow or even a golden yellow.

 

What Does Sauvignon Blanc Taste Like?

Sauvignon Blanc has a distinct taste of fresh-cut grass. This is due to a natural chemical compound, Pyrazine, which gives the wine a crisp acidity.

Depending on where the grape is grown and its ripeness, Sauvignon Blanc wines have an array of flavors. A few of them are :

 

• Green Grass
• Green Peppers
• Grapefruit
• Passionfruit
• Lime
• Green Apple
• Gooseberry
• Jalapeno

 

Aged Sauvignon Blanc can also have flavors of vanilla and nutmeg along with hints of ripe peach and honey.

 

What Does Sauvignon Blanc Smell Like?

Sauvignon Blanc wines have a sharp and marked aroma that sets them apart from other white wines. Some of these are :

 

• Grass
• Asparagus
• Green Peppers
• Crushed Blackcurrant Leaves
• Passionfruit
• Guava

 

How Sweet Or Dry Is Sauvignon Blanc?

Sauvignon Blanc is a medium-bodied dry wine. The wine is fermented in stainless steel, which gives it that crisp acidic texture. The wine is easy to drink since it contains a moderate level of alcohol.

Sweet Sauvignon Blanc wines are rare and highly valued. Sauvignon Blanc is blended with other white grapes to produce Sauternes’s sweet dessert wine. Sweet Sauvignon Blanc is equally popular and ages well.

Final Thoughts On Sauvignon Blanc

It is no surprise that Sauvignon Blanc is a most appreciated white wine. Its signature taste and exquisite aroma make for a wonderful zesty and refreshing wine.

The wine is excellent when served ice cold and is easy to pair with a variety of food types. When compared to other white wines, Sauvignon Blanc truly stands in a class of its own.