International Sauvignon Blanc Day takes place on the first Friday in May and today marks the 8th annual celebration of this aromatic and refreshing varietal. I’m still not entirely sure why the creators of this event chose the first Friday in May, but I figure they must have had their reasons.
Sauvignon Blanc is the varietal used to produce Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume and Fume Blanc, and it is one of the grape varietals included in both Sauternes and in white Bordeaux blends. It is thought that Sauvignon Blanc originated in the Loire Valley in France and it wasn’t actually until the mid 1970’s that it was brought to Marlborough in New Zealand. The first Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand was produced by Bill and Ross Spence, founders of Matua Winery, and since this first vintage New Zealand has become the world’s second largest producer.
I recently had an opportunity to try Kim Crawford’s 2015 ‘Spitfire’ Sauvignon Blanc. In the glass it is the colour of pale straw and very aromatic; I could smell the aromas wafting over to me as I started to write my tasting notes. On the nose there were tropical fruits like papaya, guava and pineapple with a hint of something really sweet, which made me think of strawberry Kool-Aid. There were also classic herbaceous notes of freshly mown grass.
In the mouth this wine felt silky and, at 14% alcohol, it had a weight and viscosity that I wouldn’t normally associate with a Sauvignon Blanc. On the palate I tasted citrus, with gooseberry and green apples on the finish; the acidity makes this wine a great one to pair with food.
Tonight I will be opening a bottle of Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc – which Sauvignon Blanc will you be opening to celebrate?!
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