Sauvignon Blanc Flashcards
1
Q
Sauvignon Blanc Characteristics
A
- aromatic
- green fruit
- vegetal (gooseberry, elderflower, green bell pepper, asparagus)
- high acid
- medium body
- almost always dry (sweet: Sauternes)
- most see no oak
- oak: toast, spice (vanilla, licorice)
2
Q
What is cool climate Sauvignon Blanc like?
A
Shows more herbaceous, aromatic character
3
Q
What is moderate climate Sauvignon Blanc like?
A
- Lacks pungent aromatic complexity
- More likely to be oaked
4
Q
Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc
A
Cool climate:
- Sancerre
- Pouilly Fume
- dry
- high acid
- medium body
- moderate-to-pronounced aromas
- gooseberry
- grass
- black current leaf
- nettle
- steely
5
Q
Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc
A
Appelations to know:
-Pessac-Leognan
-Graves
Both are cru classe, age well (honey, toast, complexity)
Blend with Semillon:
- sustain fruit
- allows complexity to develop with age
- adds body
- dry
- medium acid
- medium-to-full body
- sometimes oaky
6
Q
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
A
- Marlborough
- very aromatic*
Classic style:
- dry
- high acid
- no oak
- medium body
- intense, pungent
- clean fruit (passionfruit, gooseberry, green bell pepper, black currant left)
- youthful, fresh
Other style:
- oak
- lees
- full body
7
Q
Australian Sauvignon Blanc
A
-Adelaide Hills
- fruity
- clean
8
Q
California Sauvignon Blanc
A
-Napa Valley
“fume blanc”
mostly too warm for herbaceous character
- ranges from unoaked to heavily oaked
- less fun bodied (than chardonnay)
- higher acid (than chardonnay)
9
Q
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
A
- Casablanca
- San Antonio
- herbaceous
- fruit-led (citrus, green apple, grass)
- highly aromatic
10
Q
Bulk Production of Sauvignon Blanc
A
France (outside Loire) -Touraine -Bordeaux Chile California Argentina
11
Q
South African Sauvignon Blanc
A
- Constantia (sea)
- Elgin (altitude)
- pungent
- fruit-driven
- lighter body
- less intense
- less complex
2.
- oak
- age
- toasty
- complex
- herbaceous
12
Q
Sauvignon Blanc in Blends
A
Bordeaux, Australia, US, Chile:
-dry blends with Sémillon
Bordeaux
-sweet with Semillon
