Sauvignon Blanc
The characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc
The story of Sauvignon B (or Sauvignon Blanc) – a French grape variety (Vitis vinifera) -dates back to 1736. Now celebrated globally across vineyards in France, the United States, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, it was long considered a temperamental grape to grow. It was susceptible to downy mildew and grey rot, its stemless clusters clung stubbornly to the vine branches, making it difficult to harvest, and it yielded particular flavour profiles. However, since the 1960s, modern viticultural techniques, mechanical harvesting and a growing enthusiasm for aromatic, dry white wines encouraged new planting. Today, Sauvignon is even about to surpass Sémillon as the leading grape variety in its native Bordeaux. To date, 20 approved clones have been engineered.
Sauvignon Blanc’s aromatic profile
Sauvignon Blanc typically delights the senses with notes of boxwood, citrus (grapefruit, lemon), white-fleshed fruit (peach, pear) and nuts (hazelnut, almond). In some terroirs, it reveals a hint of minerality (flint, gunpowder).
These aromas result from highly fragrant molecules called thiols. Odorless, non-volatile precursors are present in the must and are activated by yeast during alcoholic fermentation, becoming increasingly concentrated as fermentation progresses.
Sauvignon Blanc also has a rare, pink-skinned sibling called Sauvignon G (Sauvignon Gris). Producing smaller berries and clusters, this variety ripens earlier and yields higher natural sugar levels, creating beautiful wines with riper, more exotic profiles of tropical fruit and grapefruit. Only one Sauvignon Gris clone has been approved, clone 917.
Ampelographic characteristics
- The tips of the young shoots are cottony, with a carmine-red border.
- The young leaves are downy and yellowish.
- The adult leaves have 5 lobes with narrow lateral sinuses and pointed bases. The petiolar sinus is more or less open and lyre-shaped with narrow ogival teeth and a downy leaf blade.
- Both the clusters and berries are small. The clusters are conico-cylindrical, frequently winged and compact. The berries are golden yellow in colour with green tinges.
Sauvignon Blanc is historically also known as Blanc Doux, Blanc Fumé, Douce Blanche, Fumé Blanc, Gros Sauvignon, Libournais, Sauvignon Fumé, Sauvignon Saune, Sauvignon Petit…