Today we shine a spotlight on the revered French grape variety Sauvignon Blanc - happy International Sauvignon Blanc Day!
Sauvignon Blanc originated in the Loire Valley region of France and its name loosely translates as ‘wild white’. It's one of the parent grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon and has ties to the white varieties Chenin Blanc and Savagnin.
Did you know that Sauvignon Blanc is the second largest planted white variety in Australia after Chardonnay? Victorian Alps Wine Co. produces The Buffalo Sauvignon Blanc from our King Valley growing partners. The King Valley wine region is characterised by widespread plantings of classic varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, where a noticeable diurnal temperature variation ensures that this ripening process is slow and steady, letting the grapes retain their acidity as they develop varietal complexity.
Sauvignon Blanc remains popular today, accounting for 1 in every 8 bottles of wine purchased in Australia through retail channels. It’s been embraced by drinkers for its lifted and easily identified aromas, intense fruit flavours, and distinctive herbal and mineral characters.
Exploring different styles of Sauvignon Blanc can be rewarding, as winemakers are using techniques like oak fermentation and ageing, wild and malolactic fermentation and lees stirring to create richer, textural examples that shows the diversity of Sauvignon Blanc. Let us know if you’ve discovered an interesting Sauvignon Blanc lately!