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CHEESE PAIRING:
Boursin
Goat
Jack
Gouda
Grana Padano |
 
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No shrinking violet, Sauvignon Blanc is a wine not everyone will like and one that's taken me years to appreciate. It's occasionally overwhelming grassiness and acidity can make it hard to drink straight, but gives it a great affinity with food. It's a grape that needs a cool climate to thrive, which is why it's not as widely grown as other white varietals. In order to keep it's brisk fruit flavors it is usually fermented and stored in stainless steel. Moderate regions occasionally use oak to complement their fuller styles. These wines are best drunk young in order to retain their fruit and freshness. Aging only diminishes the varietals best traits. The best come from the Old World region of Sancerre in the Loire Valley of France and the New World region of Marlborough in New Zealand. Both show a distinct style that's not to be missed.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A pale, straw-colored wine with high acidity and refreshing fruitiness. The aroma is a distinct one filled with green and citrus fruits, as well as strong herbaceous notes and occasionally a hint of minerality and gooseberry. Light to medium bodied with tart green apple, grass and flint flavors in cool zones, fuller flavors of grapefruit, melon and stone fruits in warmer climates.
COOL REGIONS: Loire Valley (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume) and New Zealand
MODERATE REGIONS: California, Bordeaux (Graves, Entre-deux-Mers), South Africa and Chile
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 | 2008 Beckmen Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2008 Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: ** |
| 2008 Grey Stack Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2008 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: *** |
| 2008 Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: *** |
| 2008 Villa Creek Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: ** |
| 2008 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Concha Y Toro Trio Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile | RATING: * |
| 2007 Delta Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: *** |
| 2007 Fairview Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Region, S. Africa | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Geyser Peak River Ranches Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Girard Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Husch Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Kono Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Nimbus Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: * |
| 2007 Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Buttonwood Farm Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Cameron Hughes Lot 26, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Edna Valley Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Edna Valley, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Geyser Peak Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Lincourt Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: * |
| 2006 Mauritson Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Tangent Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Edna Valley, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Tolosa Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Edna Valley, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Wild Rock Wine Co. "The Infamous Goose" Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: * |
| 2005 Moraga Vineyards White, Bel Air, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2005 Neveu "Clos du Bouffants" Sancerre, Loire Valley, France | RATING: *** |
| 2005 Jean Reverdy Sancerre La Reine Blanche, Loire Valley, France | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | RATING: *** |
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**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable
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