Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape
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.
Western Cape, or Western Cape, is home to some of South Africa's most famous wine regions: Stellenbosch and Paarl. Produces a wide variety of wines: fresh, full-bodied and bold reds from Shiraz and Pinotage grapes, elegant reds with high aging potential made from Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux blends, Walker Bay wines made from grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay characterized by a style that recalls that of Burgundy and the Sauvignon Blancs that originate in the cold climates of Darling and Overberg. The vineyard areas extend for 300 km, from Cape Town to the mouth of the Olifants River in the north and 360 km up to Mossel Bay in the east The vineyards are generally never located more than 160 km from the coast: the climate can be cool and rainy, like at Cape Point and Walker Bay, but more often than not it is Mediterranean in nature. Inland, the influence of the Great Karoo Desert is felt. The Western Cape region is scattered with spectacular mountain ranges that form the Cape Fold belt, of extreme importance for viticulture as it helps to define optimal soils and mesoclimes for the vine. Granite, schist and sandstone are the predominant types of soil but there is no lack of clayey alluvial soils along the beds of the Breede, Berg and Olifants rivers. The surrounding oceans, Atlantic and Indian, play a very important role in the climate of the region, acting through the respective currents of Bengula and Agulhas. The first vineyards were planted in the 17th century by European colonizers: Stellenbosch owes its name to the colonizer Simon van der Stel. The vines devastated by phylloxera in the 19th century have been replaced by very productive varieties such as Cinsaut. After producing only brandy and fortified wines for a certain period, South Africa significantly resumed the production of still and sparkling wines after Apartheid.