Alessandro di Camporeale > Articles > Ampelography > Sauvignon Blanc, Mediterranean with tropical flavour

Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France, where it is also used as a component of the famous dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac. Thanks to its extraordinary adaptation qualities, Sauvignon Blanc is now considered as an international variety and it is planted in many of the world's wine regions: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, California, South America and also in Italy. 

 (Sauvignon Blanc grapes)

The grapes are rather small and, although Sauvignon Blanc is widespread all over the world, it needs particular growing conditions to give better results. It ripens rather late, but it could be picked up precociousy, according to the type of wine wanted. it's very sensitive in forming of mould, especially Botrytis cinerea, so it needs special cares in cultivation.

Although nature and qualities of a grape are regulated by different factors, as soil, climate and maturation degree at harvesting, the features that mainly mark the Sauvignon Blanc are its green and vegetal flavours, which often remember nettle and green pepper, completed by fruity and floral notes. On the palate it strikes with its typical acidity and freshness. It is inclined to lose this last quality in few years, above all if fermentation and fining are in steel tanks; for this reason, many producers opt to wood fermentation and fining. Its typical colour is greenish yellow, but isn't rare find wines with more intense colours, even in the most hot climate or if the fining is in wood.