Sauvignon Blanc

TL; DR

New Zealand's best known export, after sheep. Light and juicy white.

So, what is it?--red

Super popular white grape variety that is high in acidity and has an easily recognisable fruit character of tropical fruits and grassiness. Juicy and fresh, it is probably the perfect salad wine.

Where does it come from?--aromatic

Originally, most likely France, but it's unconfirmed. Possibly a wild grape variety that was indigenous to multiple areas in slightly different forms. These days you'll find it pretty much everywhere!

Who's famous for it?--racy

Sauvignon Blanc has earned its fame from several superstar regions. In France, the Loire Valley and Bordeaux shine bright. The Loire Valley’s Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé deliver elegant, crisp wines with flinty minerality, while Bordeaux blends it with Sémillon for richer, refined flavors.

New Zealand’s Marlborough is the rock star, bursting with tropical fruits and zesty finishes that put it on the map. Down in Australia, the Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills offer bright, juicy wines with citrus and green apple notes.

Italy’s Friuli and Trentino regions balance vibrant acidity with subtle minerals, creating sophisticated sips. Chile’s Maipo and Colchagua valleys craft fresh, fruity, and slightly herbaceous wines. South Africa’s Elgin and Paarl give us crisp, refreshing bottles with tropical fruit and minerals. In California, Sauvignon Blanc spans from bright and citrusy to rich and complex, often with an oak twist.

What does it taste like?--aromatic

If you’re a fan of a lime twist in your drinks, the smell of fresh cut grass in the morning, and have been told you are intense or that "you sure stand out in a crowd", well, you’ve met your match. Sauvignon Blanc is an all-dials-at-max kind of grape, which means it's going to fist pump your senses with its intense (and sometimes pungent) aromas, mouth-watering freshness and a cleansing herbaceous character. It can be lean and zesty when it’s from cooler climates and fuller and more tropical when grown in warmer ones.

Main styles it's known for?--cellar

Sauvignon Blanc's styles are as diverse as its homes. In New Zealand and Australia, it’s all about light and juicy wines with vibrant acidity and tropical fruit bursts—perfect for a sunny day.

The Loire Valley offers a rich yet fresh experience, combining crisp acidity with flinty, mineral notes for a refined sip. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is often serious and savoury, blended with Sémillon and aged in oak for a fuller, complex profile with layers of citrus, stone fruit, and subtle oak.

Whether you’re into the zesty, aromatic styles from New Zealand and Australia or the sophisticated, nuanced ones from France, Sauvignon Blanc has a flavour for every palate.

What foods should you be pairing it with?--plum

Sauvignon Blanc is a food lover's dream, famously paired with goat's cheese but offering so much more. Summer salads are a perfect match, highlighting the wine's crisp, refreshing qualities. Raw fish, like sushi and ceviche, are elevated by its zesty acidity, making each bite more vibrant.

Vegetables are a natural partner—think peas and asparagus, which harmonize beautifully with the wine’s green, herbaceous notes. Anything with basil or fennel also pairs wonderfully, as the fresh, aromatic flavors complement Sauvignon Blanc's own herbal character.

Don’t stop there! Try it with seafood dishes like grilled shrimp or scallops, which balance the wine’s bright acidity. Light chicken dishes and tangy dressings also make for fantastic pairings. Whether it's a fresh summer meal or a light, elegant dinner, Sauvignon Blanc is your versatile go-to.

Fun fact--earth

Centuries ago, a romantic vine affair occurred between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. The two crossed — as vines like to do when they really love another vine — and made Cabernet Sauvignon.

If you like this, you should also give these grapes a guzzle...--wines

Pinot Grigio, Gruner Veltliner