Wine Talk - Let's talk about Sauvignon Blanc!

Wine Talk by Art of the Table
April 4, 2011

Sauvignon Blanc is...

incredibly versatile

distinct

& widely grown

Grown in almost every major wine region in the world
Its origins are French, to be specific.
Sauvignon Blanc is a young and acidic grape generally meant for early consumption while fresh & bright.
In rare cases, mostly Bordeaux Blancs from Graves, Sauvignon Blanc can be aged for up to 30 years.
Dessert wines like Sauternes use Sauvignon Blanc as a major component and are also incredibly ageable.
Sauvignon Blanc takes on the characteristics of both the land it's grown in and the wine maker who cultivates it. While it is almost always acidic and carries citrus notes, the region heavily determines the outcome of the wine.

New Zealand, for example, produces very grassy, grapefruit driven Sauvignon Blanc with intense zip while California leans towards a softer fruit experience and more weight on the palate.

***Fun Fact***

Did you know the king of grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, is a hybrid of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc? True story. It was developed in the 18th century in Bordeaux and is now the most widely known grape in the world. It's funny how some relationships work, who would have thought a white grape and a red grape

would make such perfect children?

Napa on the Shelf

Joseph Mellot Sancerre ~ France

Supremely elegant with flint-rich acidity, citrus and a hint of tropical mango. This wine is harmoniously delicate with a remarkably long finish. Such a beautiful pairing with a flaky white fish baked in a salt crust. (this one is Brandon's favorite)

$29.25

Try the Destinea from Joseph Mellot too! It's a Loire specific Sauvignon Blanc for only $11.50!

Arona ~ New Zealand

Classic zip and grapefruit driven NZ Sauvignon Blanc is "mellowed" out by the slightest amount of Riesling. The result isn't sweet, it just balances out the intensity of the wine. It also makes the wine highly food pairable. I always love this wine with fresh mixed greens salad with Dancing Goat Chevre, toasted walnuts and roasted beets with a balsamic dressing.

(Andrea's favorite by the way)

$13.75

Try the Ranga Ranga for a straight up NZ Sauvignon Blanc $14.00

Honig Sauvignon Blanc ~ Napa Valley, California

This crisp and clean white sports tangy lemon, peach, fresh cut grass and passion fruit aromas over a lithe body with focused flavors of lemon-lime, grapefruit, green apple and honey. It's "light on its feet" and pairs beautifully with roasted blackened corvino with garlic smashed potatoes. We also think it's all around the best Sauvignon Blanc coming out of the United States.

(and it's Amy's Favorite!)

$18.25

Taste Sauvignon Blanc!
This Tuesday, April 5 we will be tasting a few Sauvignon Blancs here in the store from 4-7pm! We will be sampling Ranga Ranga from New Zealand Arona also from New Zealand and Destinea, from the Loire Valley of France It's free and the wines are awesome. We hope to see you down here Tuesday!

Taste Numbernine Wines!

This Wednesday, April 6

in the store from

4-6 pm!

It's free

and the importer will be here to

give you the real skinny on these

"provocative & innovative" wines.

These are marvels of Spanish wine, and I'll just say, if you don't stop in to taste these Spanish marvels, you are losing out big time.

These wines are so obviously Spanish but tend towards New World growing practices. Their line gives passion to the number 9. For many cultures throughout the world, the number 9 is said to represent the threefold nature of humanity, incorporating the mind, body, and spirit. Find out just what the winery is thinking as you compare and contrast these wines!