Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc for many is like a pair of old slippers; easy, familiar and fits just right. Typically it has 2 distinct styles, the first from the Loire Valley and the second from Bordeaux. It’s hugely popular in New Zealand, and if my Mother’s consumption is anything to go by Marlborough is currently doing very well.
What am I getting?
These grapes produce a very fresh wine, so from cooler climates you’re looking at a flavours like gooseberries, elderflower and even cut-grass– don’t turn your nose up at that, who doesn’t love the smell of the mower going in the summer. It's also often described as flinty…who’s been tasting rocks, I have no idea. But they do have a point if you don’t take it too literally – it’s not a sharpness, just an underlying minerally vibe. The New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs range from green peas and asparagus to tropical passion fruit, mango and grapefruit.
What can I drink it with?
Because there is such a variance in Sauvignon Blancs there is an equally broad range of foods that work really well with them. The more minerally wines are good with shellfish and simply grilled fish like seabass, whereas the citrusy wines can compliment more fussy dishes well, particularly oily fish or garlicky prawns.
I want it…
Something to get you going.
Let’s not go crazy…
Mud House Sauvignon Blanc 2016/17 Marlborough (dry, New Zealand) £9.49 per bottle
All out…
2017 Sancerre Blanc, Brigitte et Daniel Chotard (dry, France) £19.95 per bottle
What am I getting?
These grapes produce a very fresh wine, so from cooler climates you’re looking at a flavours like gooseberries, elderflower and even cut-grass– don’t turn your nose up at that, who doesn’t love the smell of the mower going in the summer. It's also often described as flinty…who’s been tasting rocks, I have no idea. But they do have a point if you don’t take it too literally – it’s not a sharpness, just an underlying minerally vibe. The New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs range from green peas and asparagus to tropical passion fruit, mango and grapefruit.
What can I drink it with?
Because there is such a variance in Sauvignon Blancs there is an equally broad range of foods that work really well with them. The more minerally wines are good with shellfish and simply grilled fish like seabass, whereas the citrusy wines can compliment more fussy dishes well, particularly oily fish or garlicky prawns.
I want it…
Something to get you going.
Let’s not go crazy…
Mud House Sauvignon Blanc 2016/17 Marlborough (dry, New Zealand) £9.49 per bottle
All out…
2017 Sancerre Blanc, Brigitte et Daniel Chotard (dry, France) £19.95 per bottle