If you were wondering about the title, the wine Sauvignon Blanc comes from the French word Sauvage which translates to wild, and Blanc translates to white. That’s why Sauvignon Blanc means “Wild White.” Today is the worldwide celebration of this awesome wine! This white wine carries truly unique qualities. It’s crisp and fresh, having a pale-ish white colour. As well, it contains a wild mix of herbaceous and fruity notes with earthy hints. These notes vary depending on what climate the grapes were harvested. In warmer climates, the Sauv Blancs are more fruity, carrying flavours of tropical fruit with hints of grapefruit and peach. Sauv Blancs from cooler climates are more on the herbaceous side, carrying notes of grass and green bell peppers with hints of fruit and floral. Overall, it’s a dry medium to full-bodied wine with a high level of acidity.
Buying tips
This wine is best consumed young since there aren’t many benefits to aging it. You’ll find many alternative names to this wine variety like Fumé Blanc, which is used by some American wineries and Sauvignon, which is used by Italians. Some of the best Sauvignon Blancs come from the Loire Valley in France and New Zealand. Be sure to chill your Sauvignon Blanc before serving.
Food Pairing
This is a versatile wine so you can pair it with a lot of things. I believe this wine is best with light-flavored and soft-textured foods. White meats and fish always go well with Sauvignon Blanc. As well, you can’t go wrong with sautéed veggies and soft cheeses. Cream Sauces in your dishes are a great compliment too. To match your cooking with this wine, add in green herbs like parsley, basil, and rosemary. These herbs go well with the herbaceous notes of the Sauvignon Blanc.
Product Recommendations
Villa Maria Lightly Sparkling Sauv Blanc (NZ) - $17.99
Matua Hawkes Bay Sauv Blanc (NZ) - $17.99
Errazuriz Estate Series Acongagua (Chile) - $13.99
Oyster Bay Marlborough (NZ) - $19.99
Kim Crawford Marlborough (NZ) - $19.99
Fernwalk (BC, Canada) - $16.99
Sancerre – Domaine du Nozay (France) - $36.99
Have a splendidly “wild” day. Cheers!
Really enjoying your blog, Deanna! Super fun and informative. Great selections of Sav Blancs! Another one I love is Kono, a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. It's complex and exciting with no mushroomy taste at the end that some Sav Blancs can have. Thanks so much for your great articles!