Sauvignon Blanc: The Grape Guide
Grape Profiles · White
Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, dry, aromatic white grape that tastes of citrus, green apple, gooseberry and fresh-cut grass, with high acidity and usually no oak. Its home is the Loire Valley (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé) and Bordeaux, but New Zealand's Marlborough made it world-famous with a louder style of passion fruit and lime.
Sauvignon Blanc, four ways
Daniel Brennan "Giunta" Sauvignon BlancClassic Marlborough under $15$13
Craggy Range 'Te Muna' Sauvignon BlancStonier, more restrained New Zealand$22
Weingut Wohlmuth Sauvignon Blanc "Ried Steinriegl"Single-vineyard Styrian Sauvignon$28
Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon BlancSonoma Valley, textured and bright$30
What does Sauvignon Blanc taste like?
Expect high acidity and bright aromas. The "green" notes (grass, bell pepper, jalapeño, tomato leaf) come from compounds called methoxypyrazines, which are stronger in cooler climates and less-ripe grapes. The tropical notes (passion fruit, grapefruit, guava) come from thiols, which Marlborough's sunny days and cold nights amplify. Cooler, stonier sites give more citrus, flint and chalk.
Why do Sancerre and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc taste so different?
| Region | Style |
|---|---|
| Loire Valley (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Touraine) | Citrus, flint, chalk, subtle herbs; lean and mineral |
| Marlborough, New Zealand | Passion fruit, lime, grass; bold and aromatic |
| Bordeaux | Often blended with Sémillon and aged in oak; rounder, waxy, age-worthy |
| Styria, Austria | Elderflower, green herbs, stony; precise |
| California | Riper melon and citrus; sometimes oaked, labeled Fumé Blanc |
It's mostly climate and soil. The Loire is cool and continental with limestone and flint soils; Marlborough has intense sunlight and cold nights. Read more in our Loire Valley guide and New Zealand wine guide.
What food goes with Sauvignon Blanc?
Sauvignon Blanc's acidity makes it one of the most food-friendly whites. Classic matches: goat cheese (Sancerre and Crottin de Chavignol come from the same place), oysters and shellfish, ceviche and fish tacos, salads with vinaigrette, asparagus and green vegetables, and herb-heavy dishes such as pesto and Thai or Vietnamese food. It's a natural pick for San Diego's seafood-and-salsa diet.
Is Sauvignon Blanc related to Cabernet Sauvignon?
Yes. DNA research in the 1990s showed that Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, most likely a spontaneous crossing in Bordeaux in the 1600s or 1700s. That's where the "Sauvignon" in Cabernet's name comes from. See our Cabernet Sauvignon profile and Cabernet Franc guide.
How should you serve Sauvignon Blanc?
Well chilled, at 45 to 50°F, in a standard white wine glass. Most Sauvignon Blanc is made to drink young, within 1 to 3 years, while its aromas are vivid. The exceptions are top Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and oaked white Bordeaux, which can develop for a decade.
If you like Sauvignon Blanc, what else should you try?
Grüner Veltliner (Austria) for citrus and white pepper, Albariño (Spain) for saline freshness, Vermentino (Italy and California) for herbs and citrus, and dry Riesling for even more acidity and aromatics. Our list of alternative grapes to try if you love the classics has more.
FAQ
What does Sauvignon Blanc taste like?
Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and dry with citrus, green apple, gooseberry and grassy notes. New Zealand versions add passion fruit and lime; Loire versions show more flint and chalk.
Is Sauvignon Blanc sweet or dry?
Sauvignon Blanc is almost always dry. It is blended with Sémillon to make sweet Sauternes, but that is a different style.
What is the difference between Sancerre and Sauvignon Blanc?
Sancerre is a place in France's Loire Valley, and its white wine is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. It tends to be leaner and more mineral than New World Sauvignon Blanc.
Should Sauvignon Blanc be chilled?
Yes. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F.
From Loire flint to Marlborough fireworks, Sauvignon Blanc is the ultimate seafood wine. Shop Sauvignon Blanc →
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Header photo: Sue Winston on Unsplash
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