Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most loved and widespread white grape varieties in the world. It is a variety native to the Loire Valley region which gradually spread to Bordeaux as well. DNA analyzes have revealed its kinship with Savagnin, one of the oldest grapes in central Europe which could be one of the parents of Sauvignon Blanc. As a semi-aromatic variety, it is now grown in many countries around the world, most notably in New Zealand, California, Australia, Chile and South Africa. In Italy, it is mainly present in Friuli Venezia Giulia and Alto Adige. Naturally, pedoclamic conditions that vary from place to place allow Sauvignon Blanc to express its personality in a very different way. An emblematic case of the Loire are the very cold temperatures and high humidity which, in addition to the presence of waterways, allow Sauvignon Blanc to develop the typical acidity in wines from Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire, also famous for its wine. Pouilly-Fumé : these are sharp wines with typical hints of gooseberry, musk, wild herbs and flint that give the palate an aromatic texture that is not easy to taste but much appreciated by connoisseurs. Reaching the Bordeaux area, with the Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes, the famous botrytised wines are obtained, that is, resulting from the appearance of noble rot on the berries which gives unique flavors by combining a high acidity with a considerable amount of sugar developed as a result of the dehydration of the cluster: Sauvignon Blanc is also in this case responsible for conferring very delicate and elegant aromas. The yield of Sauvignon in Italy is also very particular, which in the areas of Collio and Colli Orientali del Friuli has found ideal environments to grow and give the best of itself. The structure of the Sauvignon from California and New Zealand is different, in which the tropical scents of white pulp fruits blend pleasantly with the typical herbaceous notes, releasing the more acidic properties of lemon peel and pomegranate in combination with wild herbs such as thyme. , sage, rosemary.

Why buy Sauvignon Blanc

Buying Sauvignon Blanc means first of all being able to familiarize yourself with one of the most widespread and famous white berried varieties in the world. The particular aromatic cut made by Sauvignon Blanc allows it to be considered as a semi-aromatic grape and, for this reason, very transversal with respect to tastes and culinary uses. Given its diffusion, buying this wine means being able to explore very diversified products and being able to deepen different local cultures, all enclosed in the great expressions of a single grape variety.

What is the origin of Sauvignon Blanc?

The origin of the name Sauvignon Blanc probably derives from sauvage (wild). There are two biotypes, that is expressions which, although belonging to the same variety, differ in some character: Sauvignon Piccolo and Sauvignon Grosso.

What are the characteristics of wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes?

Sauvignon Blanc produces wines with very recognizable characteristics: the color is usually straw yellow and can take on golden reflections with a fermentation or short aging in wood according to a widespread practice in the Pessac-Leognan area. In these cases the acid tones are diluted until they take on greater density and creaminess, with a pleasant worked note and more fruity scents. Sauvignon Blanc is otherwise recognizable for a marked shade of green apple, passion fruit and a herbaceous note ranging from asparagus to green pepper and basil.

What are the best combinations for Sauvignon Blanc?

Sauvignon Blanc is indicated in combination with grilled white meats, shellfish and fish such as sea bass flavored with lemon and parsley. For some it is also a valid accompaniment to risotto with asparagus, while it is the flagship wine for appetizers based on cold cuts and fresh cheeses.

Sicily Sicily is a happy island for wine: from the slopes of Etna to the coasts of Cerasuolo, to the small islands of Salina and Pantelleria, each area has its own grape variety and style, with wines so different that sometimes they seem to come from different continents, obtained both from native grapes such as Grillo, Carricante and Frappato, and from great international grapes that have found a small paradise on the island, such as Chardonnay. Viticulture in this region has ancient origins, suspended between the legend that tells of a thirsty Dionysus, from whose tears the first vine was born, and the history that documents the arrival of the Greeks, and before them even the Phoenicians, with the first rooted cuttings.

Character and uniqueness of Sicilian red wines.

The slopes of Etna certainly represent one of the most suitable areas for viticulture in Sicily, with excellent results for Sicilian red wine, which here takes on an almost alpine elegance. Here the extreme conditions such as the volcanic soil, the slope of the land and the altitude of the vineyards make viticulture heroic and there are few indigenous grapes, such as Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Sicily, however, has many other interesting appellations as regards red wines: in addition to Etna Doc we find in fact, next to the very small Doc Eloro, which preserves rare native grapes such as Perricone and Pignatello, the Contessa Entellina appellation, cradle of cult Sicilian reds, such as Mille e Una Notte, obtained from Nero d'Avola or from international Cabernet and Merlot grapes. Do not forget the Cerasuolo di Vittoria, in south-eastern Sicily, the only DOCG in the region and an admirable union of Nero d'Avola and Frappato.

Sicilian white wine: dry or sweet, it is however a masterpiece.

Carricante, Grillo, Chardonnay, Malvasia: Sicily is not only the home of great red wines but also of intense and fragrant whites and sweet wines to make you lose your mind. From the aromatic grapes of Chardonnay are born Sicilian white wines for aging in Doc Melfi and Alcamo, able to compete with the great wines of Burgundy, while Moscato, Zibibbo and Malvasia give life to fresh and exciting wines in Salina and on the Sicilian coasts, which become splendid sweet passito wines in Pantelleria, Lipari and Noto. The results of heroic viticulture on Etna are also exceptional, where the whites obtained from Carricante grapes stand out for their minerality and longevity. Last but not least, Marsala, born mainly from white grapes and historical wine of the island of Sicily.

What is the finest Sicilian wine?

It is difficult to answer this question, because Sicily has a wine production equal to that of Veneto and Tuscany, certainly we cannot fail to mention among the red wines the Mille e Una Notte by Donnafugata and the Harmonium by Firriato among the red wines and Planeta's Chardonnay among whites. However, there are other wineries that produce excellent wines such as Tasca d'Almerita and Duca di Salaparuta, Li Ciuri and Cusumano, Palmento Costanzo and Nicosia just to name a few. Finally, among the big names in sweet wines, we cannot forget the Marsala di Florio and the sweet wines of Donnafugata.

What is the oldest sweet Sicilian wine?

Marsala is undoubtedly one of the oldest sweet wines in Sicily: as early as 1832 Vincenzo Florio, a native of Bagnara Calabra, exported this sweet wine to over 99 countries around the world.

What is the best match for a white Sicilian wine?

The Sicilian white wines, with their characteristic intensity that unites them all, the minerality that characterizes those of Etna and the savory notes typical of those born on the islands are perfect in combination with all fish dishes rich in taste, from dishes with sardines up to pasta with swordfish, passing through fish soups and cous cous up to stuffed squid and sweet and sour tuna and aubergine caponata.