The mofo guide to... Sauvignon Blanc
Our ultimate guide to sauvignon blanc - taste, regions, pairings + more
Sauvignon blanc - it's adored by its fans worldwide, pairs well with a load of other delicious stuff, and a great drop can always be found at a stellar value. If this is your first time with a savvy b, welcome. If you’re already a fan, here’s to rediscovering why lovers of sauvignon blanc can’t get enough.
Why mofos love sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon blanc is an approachable, chatty and lively wine, classically called upon to bring bright zesty, tropical, fruit to your palate with a touch of herbaceous, without demanding that everyone turn to look in its direction. Vibrant and versatile, consider it a butterfly that can flit from occasion to occasion and set down comfortably anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
Fun fact: Along with cabernet franc, sauvignon blanc is one of the parent varieties of cabernet sauvignon. So we’ve got that to thank it for too.
What to expect with a sauvignon blanc
So what does sauvignon blanc taste like? Think bright, zingy flavours of citrus, tropical fruit, and grassy notes with a touch of minerality - steel winemaking is mostly used to lock in all of that freshness, but occasionally you’ll find barrels being used too in order to curb a little of that racy acid.
We’re not usually ones for sweeping statements when it comes to wine but sauvignon blanc across the board is pretty much consistently all about crispness and refreshing acidity.
Having said that though… whilst you'll find sauvignon blanc grown all over the world, there are some notable regions that produce exceptional examples that all have their own special style.
Marlborough, New Zealand
The biggie is Marlborough, New Zealand - it may not be the originator of savvy b, but it’s really made the grape its own, producing some of the world's most famous sauvignon blancs. There’s a whole universe of producers to dive into and gems to discover, but speaking very broadly NZ sav blanc tends to be very fruit-forward, with notes of grapefruit, passionfruit, and tropical fruits, plus that gooseberry, herbaceous character that sauvignon blanc can sometimes carry.
Loire Valley, France
Loire Valley in France is where the grape’s heartland originally lay though, and the region produces a vast range of sauvignon blancs, from crisp and mineral-driven Sancerre to more complex and textural Pouilly-Fumé (with its renowned notes of smoke and “gunflint”).
Australia
In Australia, you’ll find great sauvignon blanc coming out of a few places too:
Adelaide Hills (SA) is a firm favourite region of ours, with the altitude of the region helping to produce fruit that retains a naturally bright acidity and delivering wines that are full of citrus and peach.
Margaret River (WA) sauvignon blanc tends towards showing more tropical fruit along with that telltale acidity.
King Valley (VIC) and Orange (NSW) are both known for stellar sauvignon blanc too.
That being said, there’s probably a producer in every one of our regions producing a great savvy b - and we’re always on the lookout.
California + South Africa
Elsewhere, Californian sauvignon blanc tends to less pronounced puckering acidity than the wines from cooler regions like New Zealand, Loire Valley or Adelaide Hills, but still with that white peach trademark.
And there’s South African sav blanc too, which tends to have a distinctive minerality, with notes of stone fruit and a hint of herbal character.
So there’s a whistle-stop tour around the world of sauvignon blanc - but let’s not overcomplicate it too much. Generally the cooler the climate (or higher the altitude), the more citrus fruit and “green” grassy herbaceousness you’ll be getting in your glass; for savvy b from warmer climes expect to see more tropical fruit but still with that refreshing tangy acidity.
What temperature should I serve a sauvignon blanc at?
Nothing too complex here - the perfect temperature for sauvignon blanc is chilled to 7-10ºC (a couple of hours in the fridge before you plan to drink it). That way you’ll get the best of the aromatics and the crisp acidity that the variety brings.
Perfect food pairings for sauvignon blanc
The great thing about sauvignon blanc is that it’s heaps more versatile as a pairing wine than many would have you believe.
Top tip: practically any food that’s served with (or would be improved by) a wedge of lemon squeezed over it will go great with a sauvignon blanc.
A classic - for a good reason - is to pair it up with a fresh goat’s cheese salad, or a light fish dish. The world can be your oyster when it comes to savvy b pairings (and oysters are a great shout too). Go and explore!
Still looking for ideas? Check out some more food pairings for sauvignon blanc here.
When should I be drinking sauvignon blanc?
Sauvignon blanc is super accessible, and that goes for its drinking window too - it’s best enjoyed young and fresh, within a couple of years of bottling. Bright, vibrant flavours and refreshing acidity are the order of the day here, so pair it with colourful and chatty times - it’s nothing if not fun.
Ready to discover your next favourite sauvignon blanc?
Explore our full range of sauvignon blanc wines from New Zealand, France, Australia, South Africa and more. Whether you love crisp and citrusy or tropical and zesty, there’s a savvy b with your name on it.
