Grassy, fruity, spicy wild
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the few indigenous grapes of France, hence its name - "sauvignon" meaning wild and "blanc" referring to the white grape. Like its relative the Chardonnay, this was a grape used mainly as a base for blending French vintages, especially in the delicious dessert wines from Sauternes.
Like many Old World grapes, it had to seek its fortune abroad. In the case of the Sauvignon Blanc, it needed New Zealand and American citizenship to finally establish a foothold in the cellars on its own merits.
New Zealand's largely maritime climate suited the Sauvignon Blanc immensely, and it quickly became the South Island's main varietal, concentrated around the beautiful Marlborough region as well as Hawkes Bay, Waiparau and Gisborne. At the peak of its popularity, "Sauvignon Blanc" was almost synonymous with New Zealand wine, and its crisp, clean taste captured the imagination of a new generation of New World wine drinkers.
