Zippy, dry and full of earthy green flavors, Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing and unique white wine which is immensely in demand since more than 30 years now.
Pronounced as “saw vee nyon blahnk” or “blahn”, this white wine is made from green-skinned grapes giving it crisp, grassy, juicy and acidic tones in taste.
Let’s explore more about Sauvignon Blanc’s taste profile, whether it is dry or sweet, serving temperature and many more details in this blog.
CHARACTERISTICS | DETAILS |
Fruit Flavors | Lime, Green Apple, Asian Pear, Kiwi, Passionfruit & Guava |
Aromas | Green Bell Pepper, Gooseberry, Basil, Jalepeno & Lemongrass |
Oak Flavors | Vanilla, Nutmeg, Coconut, Butter & Cream |
Acidity | Medium to Medium High |
Serving Temperature | 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit |
Similar Varieties | Sauvignon Vert, Verdicchio, Vermentino & Savignan |
Blending | Commonly blended with Semillon & Muscadelle in White Bordeaux |
How Does Sauvignon Blanc Taste?
Originated from the Loire Valley of France and from the parent grape Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc has one of the most identifiable crisp and highly acidic taste. Presence of chemical compound called pyrazine gives it a grassy, herbal or bell pepper tones.
If these grapes are grown in a cooler climate, the herbaceous green character is the most prominent. If it is grown in warmer climates, the flavor profile changes to a riper fruit ranging from grapefruit, passion fruit to guava.
Sauvignon Blanc is also expressive of terroir. It takes on the character of the soil of the Loire Valley, giving the wine a flinty, smoky and mineral like quality. Most of Sauvignon Blanc is aged in a stainless steel and is bottled while it is fresh and youthful. However, to make it finer, it is blended with other white grapes, fermented and aged in oak.
Is Sauvignon Blanc Dry or Sweet?
Sauvignon Blanc can be described as a Dry and Fragrant white wine. With light body, mellow color and crisp dryness, you can see why many of us enjoy it.
It is almost always dry and rarely aged, although it is mixed with different varieties of grapes in France or New Zealand to make it refreshingly delicate, sweet and dessert wines.
Sauvignon Blanc is used to make the famous dessert wine from Bordeaux, Sauternes which is typically blended with Semillon or Muscadelle.
Check out our latest blog on Types of Dry White Wines and a list of the best ones of 2021.
Is Sauvignon Blanc served Chilled?
Like all other white wines, the correct way of serving Sauvignon Blanc is chilled at a temperature of 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature can be achieved by chilling the bottle for almost two hours in the refrigerator or 30-40 minutes in an ice water bath.
If the wine is too warm, the alcohol will be sharper while the flavors and acidity will tone down and taste dull. If the wine is too cold, the aromas and flavors will be muted.
If you cannot finish the whole bottle in one go, the best way to store it is by replacing the cork and sticking it back in the fridge. The flavors will stay fresh for 2-4 days. Beyond that, the white wine will start to oxidize and then it will only be suitable for cooking.
How to store Sauvignon Blanc?
The best way to store white wine is in a cool, dry place away from the heat and light. A bottle of chilled Sauvignon Blanc should be consumed all at once, if not, replace the cork and store it for 2-4 days maximum in a refrigerator.
Calories and Sugar Count in Sauvignon Blanc?
Since Sauvignon Blanc is made in a dry style, the grapes are pressed and the sugar from the grapes is then converted into alcohol with the use of yeast. When all the sugar is converted into alcohol, the wine becomes completely dry.
To give this white wine a hint of richness and sweetness, some amount of Residual Sugar (RS) is left behind. A few grams of RS per liter is still considered as a dry wine. A wine without sugar can never be a wine without calories.
Dry wines usually range between 0 to 4 grams of carbohydrates. Let’s check out the nutritional value of Sauvignon Blanc per serving of 150ml–
- Caloric Value- 119 kcal
- Carbohydrates- 3.0g
- Protein- 0.1g
- Fat- 0.0g
Best Food Pairing Options with Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a food-friendly wine because of its high acidity and light mineral like quality.
Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley (light, mineral-soaked) goes best with-
- Fresh cheeses like chevre (goat)
- Seafood such as oysters, shellfish
- White fish like trout, cod and halibut
Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand (herbaceous) pairs well with-
- Classic herbs and vegetables
- Fish, pork and chicken
- Citrus Sauces
- Salads
Sauvignon Blanc from Napa (riper, higher alcohol) goes with-
- Heavy Sauces
- White meats
The key to pair this white wine with certain food perfectly is to match the wine’s weight and flavor intensity to that of the food.
Difference between Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling
If you want to read in detail about the differences between these white wines before picking out the best one for yourself or your wine cellar, check out our latest blog- White Wine Chart.
To be more specific, we have made your evaluation and decision easier by differentiating between Sauvignon Blanc vs Pinot Grigio. Read this article to get more specifics about these white wines.
