The Costco Connection

By Matt Mize

TYPICITY IS A fancy wine-tasting term that refers to the traditional characteristics of a given wine or grape variety. However, in the case of sauvignon blanc, what one person considers traditional may be radical to another.

With flavors ranging from lime, freshly cut grass and green bell pepper to white peach and ripe tropical fruit, sauvignon blanc can’t be defined in simple terms. This varietal shows how a good bottle of wine is an expression of the talent and mood of the winemaker, in addition to the environment and materials with which he or she has to work.

When it comes to sauvignon blanc, environment is one of the primary determining factors in the aroma and flavor profile of the finished wine. This grape traditionally thrives in cool-climate regions known for producing wines that lean toward the green, herbaceous side of the spectrum.

Cool-climate sauvignon blanc also tends to be higher in acid (think of the way your mouth waters when you take a sip) and more aromatic, with mineral and floral notes. These wines from warmer climates put forth more peach and grapefruit notes, have slightly lower acidity and tend to be less aromatic. Let’s take a quick tour of the better-known growing regions for this grape.

Great examples from overseas

The Marlborough region of New Zealand
is famous for its sauvignon blanc, and its wines
have arguably become the yardstick by which
all other sauvignon blanc is measured. Three-
quarters of the vineyards in Marlborough are
planted with this one grape; the grapes benefit
from the area’s warm days, which enhance their
beautiful fruit and floral notes, and cool nights,
which help them to maintain their high acidity.

Typically these wines exhibit notes of bell pepper, gooseberry and passion fruit that are rounded out with floral notes, stony minerality and mouthwatering acidity.

For classic expressions of sauvignon blanc, look no further than the Loire Valley in northwest France and Bordeaux in the southwest. Sauvignon blancs from these areas, as in much of the Old World, are named for the regions in which they are made and not the grape variety, so be on the lookout for wines labeled as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé ( pronounced pwee foo-may) from the Loire Valley, or for Bordeaux Blanc from its namesake region.

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé produce dry
wines that are characteristically medium- to
full-bodied and contain notes of lemon,
In Bordeaux, sauvignon blanc is most
often blended with Sémillon to produce
Bordeaux Blanc and Sauternes; however,
there are also single-varietal expressions from
this area. In the case of a dry Bordeaux Blanc,
sauvignon blanc is added to provide acidity
and fruity aromas to Sémillon, which tends to
be heavy and low in acid. Similarly, sauvignon
blanc is added to the wines of Sauternes to
add lifting acidity to an otherwise heavy,
sweet wine.

Samples from California and Chile

California sauvignon blanc is different from other sauvignon blanc in that it would be difficult to pin one identity to it. From grassy and herbal to fruity and rich, these wines run the gamut of what is possible with sauvignon blanc.

Napa Valley, while perhaps best known for its cabernet sauvignon, also produces great sauvignon blanc. Aromatic and rich in fruit, with clean, bright acidity, these wines are definite crowd pleasers. Fumé blanc is another name for sauvignon blanc made in California. These wines tend to be oak aged, and thus pick up a smoky character from the toasted oak barrels.

The Casablanca Valley region in Chile, a cooler coastal area, is also producing nice expressions of sauvignon blanc. These wines are made from riper fruit and are thus more fruit forward and higher in alcohol than their counterparts from other areas of the world.

Personally, I can’t think of a wine better suited for summer picnics or outdoor get-togethers than sauvignon blanc. In all of its forms, sauvignon blanc can be incredibly refreshing on a hot day. These wines pair extraordinarily well with seafood, fresh salads and herbs, which marry well with the natural herbaceous elements of the wine. I encourage you to check out some of the great expressions of sauvignon blanc at your local Costco. C