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Sauvignon

1936 blanc

1936 blanc

Les Vignerons d Alignan Neffiès Languedoc Roussillon
€9.80
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ADDICT

ADDICT

Domaine d Hondrat Languedoc Roussillon
€13.00
ADICHATS

ADICHATS

Les vignerons de Tutiac Bordeaux
€11.15
Alma

Alma

Domaine du Haut Montlong Sud Ouest
€16.00
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Amour de Blanc

Amour de Blanc

Domaine Grand Chemin Languedoc Roussillon
€10.60
Amour de Blanc

Amour de Blanc

Domaine Grand Chemin Languedoc Roussillon
€12.80
Blanc Perlé

Blanc Perlé

Mas d Aurel Sud Ouest
€9.50
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Bonne Presse

Bonne Presse

Domaine des Peyre Vallée du Rhône
€17.50
Canopé Blanc

Canopé Blanc

Domaine La Madura Languedoc Roussillon
€21.50
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Sauvignon, the Great Aromatic White Grape Family

Sauvignon is a great family of French white grapes, led by its star Sauvignon Blanc and its rarer cousin Sauvignon Gris. Most likely born between the Loire and the Garonne, it has won over the whole world and gives instantly recognizable dry whites wherever it grows. This page introduces the family; each expression then has its own page.

Sauvignon at a glance

  • Color: white grape; the family brings together Sauvignon Blanc and its pink-berried mutation, Sauvignon Gris
  • Origin: a name thought to come from "sauvage" (wild), for the vine's vigor; one of the oldest French grapes (cradle in the Loire Valley and the South-West); parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, born from its cross with Cabernet Franc
  • Regions: Loire Valley (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and more), Bordeaux, the South-West, Burgundy (Saint-Bris) and the Languedoc
  • Profile: aromatic dry whites; crisp and herbaceous as Sauvignon Blanc, rounder and riper as Sauvignon Gris
  • Serving temperature: around 8 to 10 °C (46 to 50 °F)
  • Cellaring: usually enjoyed young (Bordeaux's great dry and sweet whites are the exception)

Description and Origins of Sauvignon

The name "Sauvignon" is thought to come from "sauvage" (wild), a nod to the vine's vigor. It is one of the oldest grapes in France, long grown between the Loire Valley and the South-West, though it is still unclear on which bank it truly first appeared. Its lineage is illustrious: crossed with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc gave rise to Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the most planted red grapes in the world. The family is read mainly through two expressions, Sauvignon Blanc, aromatic and widely planted, and Sauvignon Gris, a pink-gray-berried mutation that is rarer and rounder.

Where Sauvignon Grows

In France, the Sauvignon family has two historic homes: the Loire Valley and the greater South-West. Sauvignon Blanc reigns over the Centre-Loire, with appellations such as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, and over Bordeaux, where it blends with Sémillon; you also find it in Burgundy, at Saint-Bris, across the South-West and in the Languedoc. Sauvignon Gris stays mostly in Bordeaux and the South-West, where growers are bringing it back. For the detail of each terroir and its pairings, see the Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris pages.

Sauvignon's Aromatic Profile

Sauvignon Blanc

Appearance: Pale yellow with green glints.

Nose: Citrus and grapefruit, boxwood and blackcurrant bud, a flinty note, and exotic fruit in warmer climates.

Palate: Crisp, straight and fresh, often mineral.

Sauvignon Gris

Appearance: A more golden robe, with coppery glints.

Nose: Ripe and exotic fruit (mango, peach), white flowers and a honeyed touch, far riper and more restrained on the herbaceous side.

Palate: Rounder and silkier, with gentler acidity and a saline finish.

Food Pairings with Sauvignon

  • A Loire Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, Menetou-Salon) with a Crottin de Chavignol or a fresh goat cheese: the regional pairing par excellence.
  • A crisp Sauvignon Blanc with asparagus, a seafood platter or oysters.
  • An aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with spicy food or a Thai dish.
  • A rounder Sauvignon Gris with fish in a sauce, poultry in cream or an aged goat cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sauvignon

What Is the Difference Between Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris?

Sauvignon Gris is a pink-gray-berried mutation of Sauvignon Blanc. It gives rounder, riper and less herbaceous whites, while Sauvignon Blanc stays crisp and aromatic.

Are Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon the Same Grape?

No, they are two different grapes, but they are related. Cabernet Sauvignon, a red grape, was born from the natural cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

Where Does the Name "Sauvignon" Come From?

The name "Sauvignon" is thought to come from the word "sauvage" (wild), a nod to this vine's vigor. It is one of the oldest grapes grown in France.