Sauvignon Blanc Comparison – Blind Tasting Buddies
Wine Tasting, May 8th, 2019
Wine List:
- Mohua Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand
- Domaine de Marcé, Coulée Galante Touraine Oisly 2016, White wine from Touraine, France
- Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Sauvignon Blanc from North Coast, California
- Marco Felluga Russiz Superiore Sauvignon Collio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
- 2016 Chateau de Fontenille, Bordeaux, France,White wine from Entre-deux-Mers, France
- 2018 Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
- Francois Chidaine Touraine Blanc, Loire, France
- 2016 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Ryans Vineyard - 2017 Merry Edwards Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, USA
- Didier Dagueneau (Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau), White wine from Pouilly-Fumé, France
- Paolo Bea, Pagliaro Montefalco Sagrantino Secco, Red wine from Montefalco Sagrantino, Italy
- Dow’s Fine White Port, Port wine from White Port, Portugal
- Cossart Gordon, Rainwater Medium Dry Madeira, Port wine from Madeira, Portugal
Sauvignon Blanc wines:
- France
- Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Péssac-Leognan, Bordeaux
- Château d’Yquem, “Y de Yquem”, Bordeaux Blanc Sec
- Didier Dagueneau, Blanc Fumé de Pouilly, Pouilly-Fumé, Loire
- François Cotat, “La Grande Côte” Sancerre
- Domaine Ricard, “Tasciaca” Touraine-Chenonceaux, Loire
- Henry Pellé, “Morogues” Menetou-Salon, Loire
- William Fèvre, Saint-Bris, Burgundy
- United States
- Merry Edwards, Russian River Valley, CA
- Peter Michael, “L’Après Midi”, Knights Valley, CA
- Duckhorn Vineyards, “Sauvage”, Napa Valley, CA
- Matthiasson, “Ryan’s Vineyard”, Napa Valley, CA
- Avennia, “Oliane”, Yakima Valley, WA
- Guardian Cellars, “Angel”, Red Mountain, WA
- Chile
- Veramonte, “La Gloria”, Casablanca Valley
- Errazuriz, “Costa” Single Vineyard, Aconcagua
- Concha y Toro, “Terrunyo”, Casablanca Valley
- Italy
- Cantina Terlan, “Quarz”, Alto Adige
- Radikon, “Oslavje”, Friuli
- Gaja, “Alteni di Brassica”, Langhe
- Ornellaia, Toscana Bianco
- New Zealand
- Cloudy Bay, “Te Koko”, Marlborough
- Craggy Range, “Te Muna Road Vineyard”, Martinborough
- Ata Rangi, Martinborough
- Mt. Beautiful, North Canterbury
- Te Mata, “Cape Crest”, Hawke’s Bay
- Austria
- Tement, “STK Zieregg”, Südsteiermark
- Polz, “Therese”, Südsteiermark
- F.X. Pichler, “Smaragd”, Wachau
- Nigl, Kremstal
Attendance:
- Rachel B.
- Nick D.
- Rachel F.
- Victor F.
- Xin F.
- Sam G.
- Alberto Martinez I.
- Carolyn J.
- Lauren O.
- Jason S.
Big Personality with Sauvignon Blanc
Diverse in expression, this grape finds a home in dry an sweet wines alike, now cemented as a truly international grape. Along with father Cabernet Franc, she gives life to Cabernet Sauvignon, with aromatic intrigue and lift.
Origins stem from the Loire Valley in France, with close connections to Savagnin, Chenin Blanc, and Sémillon too. The earliest mention in the Loire dates back 485 years, to 1534. Bordeaux comes later, in 1710 from Margaux.
Of the aromatic white wine varieties, SB is unique with its herbal influence, contributed by the Pyrazine compound, thus separating the grape from aromatic Terpene-driven varieties. Such herbal character is found primarily in cooler (read: less ripe) regions, contrasted due to warmth by the fruity, less-herbal wines of Napa and Bordeaux.
Concerning the latter region, a certain savory element finds a link with Sauvignon Blanc, primarily when oak-ageing is involved. The furfuryl mercaptan compound has links to oak ageing, and although the connection is not deeply understood, such onion and leek aromas are classic for top Bordeaux dry whites.
Sweet wines of Bordeaux find another echelon altogether, with note to Sauternes and Barsac specifically. The influence of Botrytis cinerea on grapes is prized from Tokaj to Alsace and beyond, with frosting-laced treasures produced in Bordeaux in blends with Sauv Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. Incidentally, the Muscadelle grape finds even more prominence in the unique Monbazillac region of Southwest France.
And what of New Zealand? Perhaps the most famous of contemporary SB examples are made there, with no shame in the verbose perfume and sharp drive that these wines express. Curiously, sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is a popular new style, with Villa Maria producing a tasty label.
Regardless of style and origin, Sauvignon Blanc continues to be prized around the globe. Further interest in the grape is found in Chile, Italy, Austria, and beyond. Perhaps the biggest challenge is choosing between Cotat, Gilette, or To Kalon. Perhaps all three?
