What's Going On in the World of French Wines

When it comes to grape descriptors, my favorite of all time is the one used to describe the more herbaceous and aromatic side of Sauvignon Blanc: cat’s pee on a gooseberry bush. Definitely a creative way to describe the smell of the grape!

But don’t let this descriptor deter you – Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape that produces one of the most refreshing and food-friendly wines around. Appearance-wise, Sauvignon Blanc is known for typically ranging from a pale lemon yellow to a medium intense yellow, and can sometimes have a greenish tinge on rim. It is usually fairly intensely aromatic with primary aromas that range from green beans, asparagus, herbaceous, grassy, “flinty”, gooseberry, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and passion fruit. When aged in young oak barrels, one can find aromas and flavors of spices, vanilla, honey, toast and coconut on the wine. On the palate, Sauvignon Blanc can run the gamut, producing wines that are light, medium and full-bodied with medium to medium plus alcohol. Usually Sauvignon Blancs are know for having a fairly high level of acidity, part of why the wines are so refreshing and food-friendly.

While it can be found in several different appellations around France, the two major regions know for producing spectacular Sauvignon Blancs are the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. Within the Loire Valley, the famous AOCs for Sauvignon Blanc production are Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. The wines from these two villages are noted for their crisp acidity and intense aromatics, and especially for having a strong mineral character and a stony quality. Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc is a bit different as it is usually blended with the Semillon grape, which makes the wines broader on the palate and more full-bodied. This blend of grapes is used to produce both dry and sweet wines that are capable of being aged for a long period of time.

There are numerous “classic pairings” for the Sauvignon Blanc grape including fresh, young goat cheese and, when blended with Semillon and produced in a sweet style, foie gras. However, I have found that there are few dishes that don’t go well with this grape. Fresh, lively and citrusy, Sauvignon Blanc is great for sipping on its own, but also for pairing with fish, chicken and turkey dishes and it is also a great choice for vegetable dishes such as a stir fry or a vegetable quiche. There are several Sauvignon Blancs to choose from on my list of wine picks, so grab one to open tonight with your dinner – I’m sure you will enjoy it!