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One Minute Wine Ace: Sauvignon Blanc

Words by Helena Nicklin

One Minute Wine Ace Sauvignon Blanc Helena Nicklin

Sauvignon Blanc. Arguably the most recognisable white grape variety around and the ‘Marmite’ of wines; you either love it or you hate it. This zesty grape is all about cut grass, nettles, gooseberry and wet stone flavours with distinctive aromas that fans describe as elderflower, dissenters as cat pee. It’s an English Country Garden on a crisp, spring morning with its wet stone pathways and damp fern aromas!

Sauvignon Blanc Tasting Tour

Get to know this grape by trying versions from the locations most famous for it:

The Loire Valley, France

France’s Loire Valley is Sauvignon Blanc’s original home, and the villages of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé are two of the most famous names. This is where you’ll find the classic, more reserved style with nettley notes and a mineral tang. Wines from Pouilly Fumé also often have a flinty, smokiness to them thanks to the soil (‘fumé’ means ‘smoked’ in French). Try also wines from Touraine and Menetou-Salon for inexpensive, refreshing versions. 

Marlborough, New Zealand

Sauvignon Blanc has a permanent holiday home in Marlborough, which is now now arguably even more famous than Sancerre. Equally happy here as it is in France, the flavour volume is turned right up and someone has brought out the tinned asparagus and tropical fruit! You can’t do Sauvignon Blanc without trying one from Marlborough.

Casablanca Valley & Leyda Valley, Chile 

For amazing value, with more savoury, smoked grapefruit notes (and sometimes, a little bit of farmer’s armpit), head to cool-climate Chile. Casablanca Valley and Leyda Valley are two regions to look out for, the former offering inexpensive, fruity Sauvignon and the latter, more of a step up in style.

Bordeaux, France

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the two key white grapes of Bordeaux. Here it’s usually blended with Sémillon and oaked a bit to make gorgeously weighty, tropical dry whites as well as sweet whites: enter, Sauternes!

Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley, California - for dry, Sauvignon /Sémillon blends, just like in Bordeaux.

Want some suggestions? These are tried and tested!

sauvignon blanc the three drinkers vinalogy
  • Sancerre, ‘Le Fort’, Fouassier, 2018. £24.99 (£19.99 mix 6 price), Majestic

  • Menetou-Salon, Le Clos du Pressoir Vignobles Joseph Mellot 2018. £18.75 Corney & Barrow 

  • Pouilly Fumé, ‘Les Chaumiennes’, A&E Figeat, 2018. £18.25 Corney & Barrow

  • Olivier Dubois, cuvée prestige Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine, 2018. £9.99 (£8.99 mix 6) Majestic

  • Yealands Sauvignon Blanc, £7 on offer at Sainsburys

  • Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, £11.59 Waitrose

  • Dourthe, La Grand Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux, £9.49, Ocado

  • Co-op Irresistible Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, £7, Co-op.

  • Coyote Mint Sauvignon-Semillon, Napa valley, £13.99 on offer at Laithwaites

Sauvignon blanc day The Three Drinkers