“S” grape entries

Sauvignon Blanc

One of the classic Vinifera grapes, the Sauvignon Blanc has enjoyed success in many corners of the winegrowing world, mostly in cooler climates. Though susceptible to mildew and rot, Sauvignon Blanc is a vigorous varietal whose wines have become synonymous with "light and crisp." From its origins in the Bordeaux region of France, Sauvignon Blanc has gained fame for producing wines that are high in acidity, citrus fruits, minerals, herbs and a grassy character that can be pleasant when yields are low and downright ammonia-esque when the grapes are not fully ripe. Common are aromas and flavors of grapefruit, lime zest, slate, fresh grass, straw or even a certain smoky character when the wine hails from the Loire valley's Pouilly-Fumé. Most versions are best consumed young and fresh. Sauvignon Blanc also takes well to Botrytis (as in the world-famous wines of Sauternes) and produces sweet wines of considerable depth, character and aging potential. Rosés made from the Sauvignon Gris (so named for the color of its skin though it is genetically the same) can also be quite nice.

Originally from Bordeaux where it is often blended with Sémillon in both dry and Botrytised versions, Sauvignon Blanc can also be found through much of the rest of France. Especially fine examples are made in the Loire valley (Tourraine, Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé) as well as in Chablis (Sauvignon de St.-Bris) and in the southern areas of Languedoc and Rousillon. It can be found across the border in northern Italy (Friuli) and Austria where it is known as Muskat-Silvaner. Though Sauvignon Blanc may also be found in Australia, South Africa and South America, it is in California and New Zealand that it has found some of its greatest success. In the 1960s Robert Mondavi cleverly renamed the grape Fumé Blanc and a revolution was born. Today Sauvignon Blanc grows throughout California with fine examples that range from dry and light to more full, oak-aged examples that border on Chardonnay-like richness. Sauvignon Blanc has put the New Zealand wine industry on the globe as the bright fruits, gooseberries, and insanely high acidity levels found within these wines have become quite popular.

Grape Color

White

Wines (92)

Pierro Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Margaret River NV	Margaret River	White
Azienda Agricola di Peter Dipoli Alto Adige Voglar 2007	Alto Adige	Red
Domaine Daulny Sancerre 2009	Sancerre	White
SURUS Patagonia Select	Río Negro	White
JACARANDA Bianco	Sicily	White
Kunde Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma Valley Magnolia Lane 2009	Sonoma Valley	White
Matanzas Creek Winery Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County 2009	Sonoma County	White
Merlin-Cherrier Sancerre 2008	Sancerre	White
Lava Cap Winery Sauvignon Blanc, California, from Lava Cap Vineyards 2008	California	Red
Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc California 2009	California	White
Domaine de Pajot Côtes de Gascogne 2008	Côtes de Gascogne	White
Mulderbosch Stellenbosch 2007	Stellenbosch	White
Ch. Reynon Vielles Vignes White 2006	Languedoc	White
Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2006	Napa Valley	White
Winexpert Vintner's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc	California	White
Chartron La Fleur Bordeaux Blanc 2006	Bordeaux	White
Jean-Marc Brocard Sauvignon de Saint-Bris 2007	Saint-Bris	White
Orin Swift Veladora Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Tofanelli Vineyard 2007	Napa Valley	White
Domaine de Congy Pouilly-Fume Cuvee les Galfins	Pouilly-Fumé	White
Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Three Ranches 2005	Napa Valley	White
Casa julia Maipo 2006	Maipo	White
Brander Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley Cuvée Au Naturel 2005	Santa Ynez Valley	White
Brander Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley Cuvée Nicolas 2006	Santa Ynez Valley	White
Brander Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley 2006	Santa Ynez Valley	White
Brander Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley Early Release 2006	Santa Ynez Valley	White
Pillar Box Padthaway 2006	Padthaway	White
Viña Montes Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2005	Colchagua Valley	White
Kim Crawford Marlborough 2006	Marlborough	White
Villiard Casablanca Valley Sauvignon Blanc Expression Reserve 2006	Casablanca Valley	White
Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2006	Marlborough	White
Kim Crawford Wines Marlborough 2006	Marlborough	White
Le G de Château Guiraud Bordeaux Blanc Sec 2006	Bordeaux	White
Zahlman Z Columbia Valley White 2006	Columbia Valley	White
Bogle Sauvignon Blanc 2005	California	White
Château d'Yquem Sauternes Premier Cru Supérieur 1999	Sauternes	Dessert
Pillar Box White Padthaway 2006	Padthaway	White
Didier Dagueneau Blanc Fumé de Pouilly 2004	Pouilly-Fumé	White
D'Arenberg The Stump Jump White McLaren Vale 2005	McLaren Vale	White
Mud House Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2005	Marlborough	White
Handley Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley 2003	Dry Creek Valley	White
Huntington Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2005	Sonoma County	White
Spy Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004	Marlborough	White
Houghton Western Australia Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2004	Western Australia	White
Foradori Myrto IGT 2003	Trentino	White
Woodward Canyon Charbonneau White Walla Walla County 2002	Walla Walla Valley	White
Grgich Hills Napa Valley Fumé Blanc 2004	Calistoga	White
Konrad Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2004	Marlborough	White
Seifried Sauvignon Blanc Nelson 2004	Nelson	White
Huntington Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2004	Sonoma County	White
Domaine Fournier Sancerre Vieilles Vignes 2002	Sancerre	White
Brander Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley 2004	Santa Ynez Valley	White
Château Souverain Sauvignon Blanc Alexander Valley 2003	Alexander Valley	White
Covey Run Sauvignon Blanc Washington 2003	Washington	White
Beringer Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2002	Napa Valley	White
Raymond Sauvignon Blanc Reserve Napa Valley 2001	Napa Valley	White
D'Arenberg The Stump Jump White McLaren Vale 2003	McLaren Vale	White
Beringer Founder's Estate Sauvignon Blanc California 2003	California	White
Peter Franus Sauvignon Blanc Carneros 2003	Los Carneros	White
Morgan Sauvignon Blanc Monterey 2003	Monterey	White
Brander Sauvignon Blanc au Naturel 2002	Santa Ynez Valley	White
Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc California 2004	California	White
Meridian Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Central Coast 2002	Central Coast	White
Wildhurst Clear Lake Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2004	Clear Lake	White
Justin Sauvignon Blanc Edna Valley 2002	Edna Valley	White
Morande Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley 2003	Casablanca Valley	White
Leeuwin Estate Siblings Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon Margaret River 2003	Margaret River	White
St. Supéry Virtú White Meritage Napa Valley 2003	Napa Valley	White
St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2003	Howell Mountain	White
Gérard Boulay Sancerre 2002	Sancerre	White
Alpha Domus Sauvignon Blanc 2004	Hawkes Bay	White
Domaine Lucien Crochet Sancerre La Croix du Roy 2002	Sancerre	White
Honig Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2003	Napa Valley	White
Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough 2004	Martinborough	White
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin Marlborough 2004	Marlborough	White
House of Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2002	Marlborough	White
Chateau de Sancerre Sancerre 2002	Sancerre	White
Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2003	Marlborough	White
Giesen Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2003	Marlborough	White
Kenwood Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County 2003	Sonoma County	White
Château Margaux Pavillon Blanc 1999	Margaux	White
Bodegas Salentein Finca el Portillo Sauvignon Blanc 2003	Valle de Uco	White
Guenoc California Sauvignon Blanc 2002	California	White
Château Graville-Lacoste Graves 2001	Graves	White
Château Bonnet Entre Deux Mers 2002	Entre-Deux-Mers	White
Antinori Conte della Vipera 2001	Orvieto	White
Veramonte Casablanca Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2002	Casablanca Valley	White
Heron Hill Eclipse White 2002	Finger Lakes	White
Domaine de Saint Laurent de l'Abbaye Pouilly-Fumé 2001	Pouilly-Fumé	White
La Tour Saint Martin Menetou-Salon Morogues 2001	Menetou-Salon	White
Pascal Cotat Le Grande Côte Sancerre 2002	Sancerre	White
Simi Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County 2002	Sonoma County	White
Castello del Terriccio Con Vento 2003	Castellina Marittima	White