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51-556: Sauvignon blanc ( French pronunciation: [soviɲɔ̃ blɑ̃] ) is a green-skinned grape variety that originates from the city of Bordeaux in France . The grape most likely gets its name from the French words sauvage ("wild") and blanc ("white") due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France . It is possibly a descendant of Savagnin . Sauvignon blanc

102-629: A marketing term coined by Robert Mondavi in reference to Pouilly-Fumé . Depending on the climate , the flavor can range from aggressively grassy to sweetly tropical. In cooler climates, the grape has a tendency to produce wines with noticeable acidity and "green flavors" of grass, green bell peppers and nettles with some tropical fruit (such as passion fruit ) and floral (such as elderflower ) notes. In warmer climates, it can develop more tropical fruit notes but risks losing much aroma from over-ripeness , leaving only slight grapefruit and tree fruit (such as peach ) notes. Wine experts have used

153-514: A "new" Tocai , probably made from Sauvignonasse , is documented only in 1932. The Pinot grigio vine, which is also prevalent in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, was once known by the synonym Tokay d'Alsace in Alsace , and may have also been the grape used in some Italian Tokai wines. There is, however, no genetic link between Tocai Friulano (Sauvignonasse) and Pinot grigio. The grape

204-550: A balance between its acidity and sugar levels. This balance is important in the development of the intensity of the wine's aromas. Winemakers in France pay careful attention to the terroir characteristics of the soil and the different elements that it can impart to the wine. The chalk and Kimmeridgean marl of Sancerre and Pouilly produces wines of richness and complexity while areas with more compact chalk soils produces wines with more finesse and perfume. The gravel soil found near

255-470: A balance of sugars. The flavors characteristic of Sauvignon blanc come from the chemicals methoxypyrazines . Grapes grown in Marlborough's Wairau Valley may exhibit different levels of ripeness over the vineyard, caused by slight unevenness in the land and giving a similar flavor profile to the resulting wine. Sauvignon blanc can be greatly influenced by decisions in the winemaking process. One decision

306-590: A grower. At that time the variety had a poor reputation in California due to its grassy flavor and aggressive aromas. Mondavi decided to try to tame that aggressiveness with barrel agings and released the wine under the name Fumé Blanc as an allusion to the French Pouilly-Fumé . The usage of the term is primarily a marketing base one with California wine makers choosing whichever name they prefer. Both oaked and unoaked Sauvignon blanc wines have been marketed under

357-475: Is International Sauvignon Blanc Day. The Sauvignon blanc grape traces its origins to the Val de Loire region in France according to Jancis Robinson in her book "Wine Grapes". The earliest recording was in 1534 by Francois Rabelais in his book, Gargantua. As noted above, it is not clear that the vine originated in western France. Ongoing research suggests it may have descended from Savagnin. It has also been associated with

408-408: Is a late budding vine, with high sensitivity to downy mildew and oidium . The vine is prone to producing high yields which must be controlled in order to make premium quality wine. With Sauvignonasse, the quality of the wine depends greatly on the grapes being harvested at the right point. If picked too early, the resulting wine will be dull and lack any varietal character . The grape also has

459-537: Is a perfect complement to soft cheeses such as feta, chevre or buffalo mozzarella. Also for vegetable dishes that contain eggplant or zucchini and spices such as thyme or bay leaves. Grape variety This list of grape varieties includes cultivated grapes , whether used for wine , or eating as a table grape , fresh or dried ( raisin , currant , sultana ). For a complete list of all grape species, including those unimportant to agriculture, see Vitis . The term grape variety refers to cultivars (rather than

510-569: Is also one of the main ingredients in Muffato della Sala , one of Italy's most celebrated sweet wines. Winemakers in New Zealand and Chile harvest the grapes at various intervals for the different blending characteristics that the grape can impart depending on its ripeness levels. At its most unripe stage, the grape is high in malic acid . As it progresses further towards ripeness the grape develops red & green pepper flavors and eventually achieves

561-517: Is believed to be related to the Tocai Italico vine, which is planted throughout the Veneto region. The only doubt involves the Tocai Italico plantings around the town of Breganze , which ampelographers believe is a different vine altogether. Argentina , with its close ties to Italian viticulture , also has a small amount of Friulano vines planted. Over the years, Sauvignonasse has been known under

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612-546: Is believed to have originated in the Veneto region and from there traveled to other Italian regions, especially to the Friuli region, where it was cultivated since 1600. In Italy the grape was historically known as Tocai or Tocai Friulano for centuries. The grape has no known relation to any of the grapes used in the Hungarian wine Tokaji , even though evidence suggests that following

663-452: Is composed typically of the following grapes: Furmint (70%), Hárslevelű (20–25%), and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (5–10%). Hungary does not want anyone confusing the dry and aromatic Italian Tocai Friulano (which is a unique wine in itself) with their wine called Tokaji. Some believe that early editions of Tocai Friulano in Italy were most likely made of the grape Furmint. The first record of

714-533: Is derived from flavor compounds known as methoxypyrazines that becomes more pronounced and concentrated in wines from cooler climate regions. Riper flavors such as passion fruit, along with other notes such as boxwood, may be driven by thiol concentrations. In North America, California is the leading producer of Sauvignon blanc with plantings also found in the Washington state and on the Short Hills Bench of

765-569: Is grown in the maritime climate of Bordeaux (especially in Entre-Deux-Mers, Graves and Pessac-Léognan as a dry wine, and in Sauternes as a sweet wine) as well as the continental climate of the Loire Valley (as Pouilly Fumé , Sancerre , and Sauvignon de Touraine ). The climates of these areas are particularly favorable in slowing the ripening on the vine, allowing the grape more time to develop

816-631: Is more medium bodied. The grape's most noted homes are in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Goriška Brda , where it is one of the regions' most widely planted grape varieties . In the Friuli it is the main white grape of the Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) zones of Colli Orientali del Friuli , Collio Goriziano , Friuli Grave and Friuli Isonzo , where the grape accounts for more than 20% of those areas' total vineyard plantings. The grape

867-545: Is planted in many of the world's wine regions, producing a crisp, dry, and refreshing white varietal wine . The grape is also a component of the famous dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac . Sauvignon blanc is widely cultivated in France, Chile , Romania , Canada , Australia , New Zealand , South Africa , Bulgaria , the states of Oregon , Washington , and California in the US. Some New World Sauvignon blancs, particularly from California, may also be called "Fumé Blanc",

918-520: Is the amount of contact that the must has with the skins of the grape. In the early years of the New Zealand wine industry, there were no wineries in the South Island, which meant that freshly harvested grapes had to be trucked and then ferried to the North Island , often all the way up to Auckland . This allowed for prolonged exposure of the skins and juice which sharpened the intensity and pungency of

969-508: Is to plant one Sauvignon Blanc vine at regular intervals among rows of Sémillon . However, Sauvignon blanc's propensity to ripen 1–2 weeks earlier can lead the grapes to lose some of their intensity and aroma as they hang longer on the vine. This has prompted more producers to isolate their parcels of Sauvignon blanc. Near the edge of the Chablis commune is an AOC called Saint-Bris that is gaining attention for its Sauvignon blanc production. In

1020-492: Is usually consumed young and does not particularly benefit from aging , as varietal Sauvignon blancs tend to develop vegetal aromas reminiscent of peas and asparagus with extended aging . Dry and sweet white Bordeaux , including oak-aged examples from Pessac-Léognan and Graves , as well as some Loire wines from Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre are some of the few examples of Sauvignon blancs with aging potential. The first Friday in May

1071-667: The Niagara Peninsula and Okanagan Valley in Canada. Sauvignon Blanc is also grown in small regions in Ohio along Lake Erie and the Ohio River. In California wine produced from the Sauvignon blanc grape is also known as Fumé Blanc. This California wine was first made by Napa Valley 's Robert Mondavi Winery in 1968. Mondavi had been offered a crop of particularly good Sauvignon blanc grapes by

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1122-663: The Sauternes vineyards of Château d'Yquem . The plantings produced well in Livermore Valley . Eventually, the wine acquired the alias of Fumé Blanc in California by promotion of Robert Mondavi in 1968. The grape was first introduced to New Zealand in the 1970s as an experimental planting to be blended with Müller-Thurgau . The Sauvignon blanc vine often buds late but ripens early, which allows it to perform well in sunny climates when not exposed to overwhelming heat. In warm regions such as South Africa , Australia and California ,

1173-2184: The botanical varieties that must be named according to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants ). While some of the grapes in this list are hybrids, they are hybridized within a single species. For those grapes hybridized across species, known as interspecific hybrids , see the section on multispecies hybrid grapes below. Corbeau, Alcantino, Aleante, Bathiolin, Batiolin, Blaue Gansfuesser, Bonarda, Bourdon Noir, Carbonneau, Charbonneau, Charbono, Corbeau, Corbeau Noir, Cot Merille, Cot Rouge Merille, Cote Rouge, Dolcetto Grosso, Dolutz, Douce Noire, Folle Noire D L'Ariege, Gansfuesser Blaue, Grenoblois, Korbo, Mauvais Noir, Ocanette, Picot Rouge, Plant De Calarin, Plant De Montmelian, Plant De Montmelion, Plant De Savoie, Plant De Turin, Plant Noir, Serbina, Sevilhao, Turca, Turin, Turino. Italy: Acqui, Barbirono, Bathiolin, Batialin, Beina, Bignola, Bignona, Bignonia, Bignonina, Bourdon Noir, Cassolo, Charbonneau, Charbono, Chasselas Noir, Cote Rouge Merille, Crete De Coq, Debili Rifosk, Dolcedo Rotstieliger, Dolceto, Dolcetta Nera, Dolcetto A Raspe Verde, Dolcetto A Raspo Rosso, Dolcetto Crni, Dolcetto Nero, Dolcetto Piemontese, Dolchetto, Dolcino Nero, Dolciut, Dolsin, Dolsin Raro, Dolzin, Dolzino, Dosset, Gros Noir De Montelimar, Gros Plant, Maennlicher Refosco, Mauvais Noir, Montelimar, Monteuse, Montmelian, Mosciolino, Nera Dolce, Nibieu, Nibio, Noirin D'Espagne, Nord Du Lot Et Garonne, Ocanette, Orincasca, Ormeasca, Ormeasco, Picot Rouge, Plant De Calarin, Plant De Chapareillan, Plant De Moirans, Plant De Montmelian, Plant De Provence, Plant De Savoie, Plant De Turin, Plant Du Roi, Premasto, Primaticcio, Promotico, Provençal, Ravanellino, Refork, Refork Debeli, Refork Male, Refosk Debeli, Rotstieliger Dolcedo, Savoyard, Turin, Turino, Uva D'Acqui, Uva D'Acquia, Uva Del Monferrato, Uva Di Ovada, Uva Di Roccagrimalda. Many commercial varieties commonly called labrusca are actually complex interspecies hybrids. Hybrid grape varieties (see Hybrid grapes ) or " hybrids " is, in fact,

1224-511: The 1990s, Sauvignon blanc wines from the maritime climatic regions of New Zealand , particularly the South Island , became popular on the wine market. In the Marlborough wine region , sandy soils over slate shingles have become the most desirable locations for plantings due to the good drainage of the soil and poor fertility that encourages the vine to concentrate its flavors in lower yields. In

1275-537: The 19th century, these interspersed cuttings were transported to Chile where the field blends are still common today. Despite the similarity in names, Sauvignon blanc has no known relation to the Sauvignon rosé mutation found in the Loire Valley of France . The first cuttings of Sauvignon blanc were brought to California by Charles Wetmore , founder of Cresta Blanca Winery , in the 1880s. These cuttings came from

1326-594: The Carmenere family. At some point in the 18th century, the vine paired with Cabernet Franc to parent the Cabernet Sauvignon vine in Bordeaux. In the 19th century, plantings in Bordeaux were often interspersed with Sauvignon vert (In Chile, known as Sauvignonasse ) as well as the Sauvignon blanc pink mutation Sauvignon gris . Prior to the phylloxera epidemic, the insect plague which devastated French vineyards in

1377-511: The Loire Valley. Plantings in California, Australia, Chile and South Africa are also extensive, and Sauvignon blanc is steadily increasing in popularity as white wine drinkers seek alternatives to Chardonnay . The grape can also be found in Italy and Central Europe . In Australia, particularly the Margaret River region, the grape is often blended with Sémillon . Varietal styles, made from only

1428-467: The Sauvignon blanc grape, from Adelaide Hills and Padthaway have a style distinctive from their New Zealand neighbors that tend to be more ripe in flavor with white peach and lime notes and slightly higher acidity. In the early 1990s, ampelographers began to distinguish Sauvignon blanc from Sauvignonasse plantings in Chile. The character of non-blended Chilean Sauvignon blanc are noticeably less acidic than

1479-618: The Sauvignonasse and Sauvignon blanc are very similar, which explains part of the confusion between the two vines. The two vines also have similar susceptibility to Botrytis . The wines made from the two grapes are noticeably different when compared together: Sauvignon blanc being much more aromatic , with notes of ripe fruit like gooseberries and black currant , that Sauvignonasse lacks in favor of softer, floral flavors. Sauvignon blanc also has more acidity than Sauvignonasse and retains much of its vibrancy and flavors longer. Sauvignonasse

1530-402: The flavors and intensity that distinguish New Zealand Sauvignon blancs. More recently, Waipara in the South Island and Gisborne and Hawkes Bay in the North Island have been attracting attention for their Sauvignon blanc releases, which often exhibit subtle differences to those from Marlborough. The asparagus, gooseberry and green flavor commonly associated with New Zealand Sauvignon blanc

1581-460: The flood plain of the Wairau River Valley, the soil runs in east-west bands across the area. This can create a wide diversity of flavors for vineyards that are planted north-south with the heavier soils producing more herbaceous wines from grapes that ripen late and vines planted in stonier soils ripening earlier and imparting more lush and tropical flavors. It is this difference in soils, and

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1632-619: The grape as simply Friulano . The grapes were also planted outside Italy in the Goriška region of Slovenia , especially in the Vipava Valley and Goriška Brda , and was known as "Tokaj". After the European Union prohibition, the Slovenian wine producers have first changed the name of the wine in Sauvignonasse or Zeleni sauvignon (Green Sauvignon). After a few years, in 2013 the name of "Tokaj"

1683-550: The grape called Sauvignon vert in California is actually Muscadelle , adding additional confusion. Unlike Sauvignon gris , which is a clonal mutation of Sauvignon blanc also found in Chile, Sauvignonasse (which means "Sauvignon-like" ) has no known genetic relationship with Sauvignon blanc. The vines were believed to be interspersed together in Bordeaux during the 19th century, when the cuttings were brought to Chile labeled as just "Sauvignon blanc". The leaves and berry clusters of

1734-465: The grape flourishes in cooler climate appellations such as the Alexander Valley area. In areas where the vine is subjected to high heat, the grape will quickly become over-ripe and produce wines with dull flavors and flat acidity. Rising global temperatures have caused farmers to harvest the grapes earlier than they have in the past. The grape originated in France, in the regions of Bordeaux and

1785-503: The grape is still officially named Tocai Friulano in Italy's National Catalog of Grape Varieties. In addition, wineries outside of Europe are permitted to label wines made with this grape as Tocai Friulano . The main confusion in Europe of the name Tocai Friulano is due to the Hungarian wine known as Tokaji (Hungarian of Tokaj ), which does not have any Tocai Friulano in it at all, and

1836-492: The grape still remains a popular planting in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Goriška Brda, it currently has little presence in other parts of the world. It is unclear why the grape is called Sauvignon vert in Chile; although this has occasionally been used as a synonym in central France, there is a different grape called Sauvignon Vert (or Gros Sauvignon) in the Gironde region that has no known relation to Sauvignonasse. Furthermore,

1887-449: The grape. Some winemakers, like those in New Zealand and Sancerre, prefer stainless steel fermentation tanks over barrels with the intention of maintaining the sharp focus and flavor intensity. Sauvignon blanc can be combined with a variety of dishes as it is an easy approachable wine. If we are looking for light meat, it can be suitable for chicken or turkey. Sauvignon blanc is also excellent for seafood such as lobster, squid, and so on. It

1938-465: The locals believed imparted a smoky, gunflint flavor to the wine, and hence Fumé , the French word for "smoky", was attached to the wine. Along with Sémillon, Muscadelle and Ugni blanc , Sauvignon blanc is one of only four white grapes allowed in the production of white Bordeaux wine . Mostly used as a blending grape, Sauvignon blanc is the principal grape in Château Margaux 's Pavillon Blanc , In

1989-423: The mineral flavors in the wine while New World winemakers prefer slightly cooler temperatures to bring out more fruit and tropical flavors. A small minority of Loire winemakers will put the wine through malolactic fermentation , a practice more often associated with New Zealand wines. Oak aging can have a pronounced effect on the wine, with the oak rounding out the flavors and softening the naturally high acidity of

2040-415: The name Fumé Blanc. California Sauvignon blancs tend to fall into two styles. The New Zealand-influenced Sauvignon blanc have more grassy undertones with citrus and passion fruit notes. The Mondavi-influenced Fumé Blanc are more round with melon notes. Sauvignon blanc is also beginning to gain prominence in areas like South Africa 's Stellenbosch and Durbanville and Italy 's Collio Goriziano areas. It

2091-479: The northern Rhône Valley, Sauvignon Blanc is often blended with Tressallier to form a tart white wine. In the Sauternes region, the grape is blended with Sémillon to make the late harvest wine , Sauternes . The composition of Sauvignon blanc varies from producer and can range from 5-50% with the Premier Cru Supérieur Château d'Yquem using 20%. A traditional practice often employed in Sauternes

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2142-475: The phrase "crisp, elegant, and fresh" as a favorable description of Sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley and New Zealand. Sauvignon blanc, when slightly chilled, pairs well with fish or cheese , particularly chèvre . It is also known as one of the few wines that can pair well with sushi . Along with Riesling , Sauvignon blanc was one of the first fine wines to be bottled with a screwcap in commercial quantities, especially by New Zealand producers. The wine

2193-568: The popular term for a subset of what are properly known as hybrids , specifically crossings between one species of the genus vitis and another. The scientific definition of a hybrid grape is any crossing (intra- or inter-specific) of two grape varieties. In keeping with the popular definition, however, the ones listed below are inter-specific hybrids where one parent is a European grape. Most of these are complex mixtures of three or more species and all parents are not always clearly known. Sauvignon vert Friulano from Friuli-Venezia Giulia

2244-513: The potential for very high levels of alcohol , with 14.5% ABV not being uncommon. The wine made from Sauvignonasse varies depending on the area in which it is produced. In the Friuli region, Friuilano and in Goriška Brda region, Jakot wine is typically full bodied , with moderate acidity , floral aromas and delicate fruit flavors. In Chile, Sauvignon vert typically starts with aromas of green apples in its youth that fade as it ages and

2295-476: The river Loire and its tributaries impart spicy, floral and mineral flavors while in Bordeaux, the wines have a fruitier personality. Vines planted in flint tend to produce the most vigorous and longest lasting wines. Pouilly Fumé originate from the town of Pouilly-sur-Loire , located directly across the Loire River from the commune of Sancerre . The soil here is very flinty with deposits of limestone , which

2346-429: The types of harvest time decisions that wine producers must make, that add a unique element to New Zealand Sauvignon blanc. The long narrow geography of the South Island ensures that no vineyard is more than 80 miles (130 km) from the coast. The cool, maritime climate of the area allows for a long and steady growing season in which the grapes can ripen and develop a natural balance of acids and sugars. This brings out

2397-648: The wedding of the Venetian princess Aurora Formentini to the Hungarian Count Batthyány in 1632, some vines of Tocai Friulano were brought with the princess to Hungary. To better distinguish the wines and to protect the Tokaji name, the European Union established regulations prohibiting the use of names too closely associated and easily confused with Tokaji. Winemakers in the Friuli have elected to just refer to

2448-493: The wine. Some winemakers, like the Loire, intentionally leave a small amount of must to spend some time in contact with the skin for later blending purposes. Other winemakers, like in California, generally avoid any contact with the skin due to the reduced aging ability of the resulting wine. Another important decision is the temperature of fermentation . French winemakers prefer warmer fermentations (around 16–18 °C) that bring out

2499-453: The wines of New Zealand and more similar to the French style that is typical of Chilean wines . The region of Valparaíso is the most notable area for Sauvignon blanc in Chile due to its cooler climate which allows the grapes to be picked up to six weeks later than in other parts of Chile. In Brazil, ampelographers have discovered that the vines called Sauvignon blanc planted in the region are really Seyval blanc . In France , Sauvignon blanc

2550-538: Was changed to "Jakot", now the official name for the grapes and wine from Slovenia wine regions. From Italy the grape is believed to have spread to France , where it was transported to Chile as "Sauvignon blanc". Only in the 1990s did ampelographers determine that the Chilean "Sauvignon blanc" was actually Sauvignonasse, which they called Sauvignon vert in Chile. Once the discovery was made, plantings of "true" Sauvignon blanc increased, as Sauvignon vert decreased. While

2601-486: Was known as "Tocai" Friulano until March 31, 2007, when the European Court of Justice of Luxembourg set the prohibition of using the name "Tocai" in the name of the wine (as stipulated in a 1993 agreement between the European Union and Hungary). Since 2007 wines made from Tocai Friulano have been labeled as Friulano in Friuli. Despite the fact that the word Tocai is no longer permitted on Italian wine labels,

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