WTN /Wine Advisor: Wine Focus - Sauvignon Blanc

[Robin Garr]

I'll also post this in Wine Focus as the monthly announcement ...

Wine Focus - Sauvignon Blanc

As the Northern Hemisphere moves into the summer heat of July, it makes sense to aim our monthly Wine Focus at a grape variety that can yield wines with serious class and distinction but that also can be chilled right down to make a cooling summer quaff.

Sauvignon Blanc traces its native home to the Loire Valley, where it builds its reputation with tart, aromatic regional wines such as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé (not to be confused with the Pouilly-Fuissé of Burgundy).

It's one of the two primary players (with Semillon) in White Bordeaux; and it's grown literally around the world, in just about every region where wine is made. It has found a particularly welcoming home in the Southern Hemisphere, from South Africa to Chile and Down Under, where New Zealand has made Sauvignon Blanc its trademark wine.

If a single word can be used to describe the grape's aromatic flavor, it might be "zest," evoking both a refreshing tartness and distinct citrus character. In many Sauvignon Blancs, the second word might be "catbox," or to be more socially acceptable, "boxwood," the striking aroma attributable to the chemical methoxypyrazine. Depending largely on sun exposure during ripening, Sauvignon Blancs tend to span a spectrum from bright and citric to "green" and "grassy," depending on growing conditions.

One of the most interesting factoids about this grape is the relatively recent discovery by Dr. Carole Meredith of the University of California at Davis that Sauvignon Blanc is actually a parent (crossed with Cabernet Franc) of Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety that most people likely consider of significantly more gravitas than either of its ancestors.

To participate, simply bring your tasting notes, comments and questions on Sauvignon Blanc to the Wine Focus section of our WineLovers Discussion Group, viewforum.php?f=18 You're welcome to tell us about any Sauvignon Blanc from around the world, but since the French models get so much attention, we're particularly interested in hearing about your New World wines. You'll find my notes below on a Chilean example, Casa Lapostolle 2007 Rapel Valley Sauvignon Blanc, which I praised for its sunny aromatics but dinged a bit for a hot, alcoholic finish.

Casa Lapostolle 2007 Rapel Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($10.99)

Transparent, pale straw color. Fragrant aromas of peach, melon and grapefruit and a touch of a more characteristic Sauvignon Blanc "grassy" note in the background. Ripe and tart citrus flavors, perhaps just a hint of sweetness cloaked by fresh acidity. Relatively high (14.1%) alcohol adds a breath of heat in the finish. U.S. importer: Marnier-Lapostolle Inc., NYC. (June 30, 2008)

FOOD MATCH: The producer recommends it as an aperitif; I think aromatic chicken or seafood and fish dishes might better tame that high alcohol and acidity. It was fine with a summery potato salad made with wood-smoked salmon and Greek yogurt.

VALUE: Provided you're on board with the high-alcohol style, the $10 range is hard to beat. It may pay to shop around, as prices vary; Wine-Searcher.com shows it ranging from $8 to $15 at various merchants.

WHEN TO DRINK: Best drunk up within a year or two, while those fruity aromatics are fresh.

WEB LINK:
The winery Website comes up in English. Here's a link to a fact sheet about the Sauvignon Blanc:
http://www.casalapostolle.com/casalapos ... .php?id=94

FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Find vendors and check prices for Root:1 wines on Wine-Searcher.com:
http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/Lapos ... g_site=WLP

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[Jenise]

One of the most interesting factoids about this grape is the relatively recent discovery by Dr. Carole Meredith of the University of California at Davis that Sauvignon Blanc is actually a parent (crossed with Cabernet Franc) of Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety that most people likely consider of significantly more gravitas than either of its ancestors.

This came up in conversation recently with friends who rely on me to be the expert, and as I said it out loud it just didn't sound right. Or actually, believable. And the more I thought about it, the more I convinced myself that cab franc was by far the likelier progeny. I meant to go look it up but never did, so thanks.

[Robin Garr]

This came up in conversation recently with friends who rely on me to be the expert, and as I said it out loud it just didn't sound right. Or actually, believable. And the more I thought about it, the more I convinced myself that cab franc was by far the likelier progeny. I meant to go look it up but never did, so thanks.

Funny thing, I thought about this as a neat factoid, but it didn't sound quite right to me, too, so I Googled to make sure it was right before i wrote it down.

I thought opposite. When it was originally announced, I thought, the clue was there all the time in the name.

Cabernet Franc x Sauvignon Blanc = Cabernet Sauvignon


I think there some discussion about whether the Franc suffix was a later addition to distinguish from the offspring.

[Jenise]

I thought opposite. When it was originally announced, I thought, the clue was there all the time in the name.

Cabernet Franc x Sauvignon Blanc = Cabernet Sauvignon


I think there some discussion about whether the Franc suffix was a later addition to distinguish from the offspring.

Interesting way to look at it, Peter. My thinking had nothing to do with the name, but the flavors, Sauvignon Blanc and Cab Franc having a certain common herbaceousness.

I always thought the term “Sauvignon” was derived from the French word “sauvage” meaning “wild”. Therefore “Sauvignon” meaning “wild grape”, perhaps linking it, to Pliny the Elder’s Biturica or Vidure used to make wines during ancient Roman times.

Salute

I always thought the term “Sauvignon” was derived from the French word “sauvage” meaning “wild”. Therefore “Sauvignon” meaning “wild grape”, perhaps linking it, to Pliny the Elder’s Biturica or Vidure used to make wines during ancient Roman times.

Salute

That's right, Victor. "Sauvignon" isn't a "family" name.