Sauvignon Blanc
A king among white grapes, Sauvignon Blanc features prominently in France’s Loire Valley, where it is the primary white grape used in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux it is a main grape for dry white-wine production, as well as one of three grapes used to produce the famous Botrytis cinerea-inflected Sauternes. And in New Zealand, it’s used by winemakers to produce grassy, aromatic white wines.
Sauvignon Blanc grapes are pale green in color which leads to equally light-colored wines. This grape buds late and ripens early, and thrives in climates with consistent sunshine and moderate heat. On the vine, it yields tight bunches of small berries that are highly susceptible to rot. It uniformly prefers cool climates, which temper it from over-ripening and keep its famously bracing acidity in check.
In Old World wines, Sauvignon Blanc is mineral, crisp and lean, with notes of green apple, grapefruit and lime zest. Loire Valley expressions often exhibit a classic gunflint tone. New World iterations of this variety tend to be a little flashier, showcasing notes of tropical fruits, freshly cut grass and stone fruit. Most Sauvignon Blanc is aged in stainless steel or neutral barrels to highlight the fresh, fruity profile of the variety. However, oaked versions—sometimes called Fumé Blanc—add layers of toast and spice to the mix.
Sauvignon Blanc in France
The most iconic Old-World Sauvignon Blancs come from France. In the Loire Valley, two appellations, specifically, are dedicated to the production of this grape. In Sancerre, soils comprised of flinty silex, Kimmeridgian clay and limestone offer complexity and a distinct minerality for which the grape is most well known. The neighboring appellation of Pouilly-Fumé produces similarly mineral wines.
The grape also factors into Bordeaux’s famed wines. Joining Sémillion and often Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc is responsible for the stunning dessert wines of Sauternes, in which the grape provides a crisp backbone to honeyed wines. Additionally, the grape is used in the relatively small catalogue of dry white Bordeaux wines, specifically in the appellations of Entre-deux-Mers, Graves and Pessac-Léognan.
Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand
Perhaps the most famous of the New World Sauvignon Blanc regions is New Zealand, where, in the South Island’s Marlborough wine region, stony, sandy loam soil offer concentrated, clean expressions. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc offers up grassy notes with gooseberry and asparagus prominent on the nose and palate. The region’s maritime climate provides a consistently long growing season, which curbs ripeness while it provides great balance and depth of flavor.
Sauvignon Blanc in California
In California, Napa and Sonoma are the main producers of Sauvignon Blanc, with many plantings also in the Central Coast. While microclimates can yield different results, many Californian Sauvignon Blancs are fruity, rounded and soft in feel, displaying more melon and stone fruit tones. Oaked versions, sometimes called Fumé Blanc, are common here, adding structure and layers of spice and toast.
Global Production
Other notable European regions that produce Sauvignon Blanc are Italy, Germany and Austria. Many of these cool-climate expressions focus on the fresh, zesty profile of the grape, with few examples aged in oak. In the New World, many Sauvignon Blancs can be found in Australia, South Africa and Chile. In Australia, the grape is commonly blended with Semillon to yield a balanced, refreshing white from Margaret River. Chile’s Sauvignon Blancs are crisp, vegetal and often well-priced, while South Africa offers a range of accessible unoaked offerings to bolder oaked versions.
Synonyms: Beyaz Sauvignon, Blanc Doux, Blanc Fumé, Bordeaux Bianco, Douce Blanche, Feher Sauvignon, Fumé Blanc, Petit Sauvignon, Sauvignon Musqué, Weisser Sauvignon
-
-
Hannes Sabathi 2018 Ried Kranachberg Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark)
AustriaToasty hazelnut and caramelized lemon peel lend a tart but smooth aspect ...Cellar SelectionSee Full ReviewN/A -
Gross 2018 Ried Nussberg Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark)
AustriaFresh aromas of lemon zest and nettle are rounded out by toasted ...See Full Review$75 -
-
Gross 2018 Ried Sulz Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark)
AustriaA wonderfully serene nose combines fresh nettle with—unusually in a white wine—the ...See Full Review$50 -
Sattlerhof 2018 Ried Kranachberg Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark)
AustriaFresh notes of crushed boxwood leaves suggest freshness on the nose, with ...See Full Review$75 -
Gross 2017 Ried Nussberg Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark)
AustriaAn intense scent of ripe Amalfi lemon has a touch of earthiness ...See Full Review$75 -
Gross 2017 Ried Sulz Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark)
AustriaYeast, boxwood and lemon all appear on the rather subtle but intensely ...See Full Review$50 -
Sattlerhof 2019 Gamlitz Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark)
AustriaNotes of nettle and moss meld with elderflower on the nose. The ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Lackner Tinnacher 2018 Ried Flamberg Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark)
AustriaSlight smoke and a hint of green bell pepper are all that ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Clif Family 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Oak Knoll District)
NapaEarthy in freshly cut grass and pea shoots, this white offers a ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Groth 2019 Estate White (Oakville)
NapaThis wine is a blend of 79% Sauvignon Blanc and 21% Sémillon, ...See Full Review$50 -
Saracina 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Mendocino)
Mendocino CountyThis exceptionally well-structured wine almost vibrates with tangy acidity. It shows great ...See Full Review$23 -
Pratsch 2019 Riede Kittel Sauvignon Blanc (Niederösterreich)
AustriaSutble hints of nettle and boxwood play enticingly on the tender nose ...See Full Review$16 -
Lackner Tinnacher 2018 Ried Welles Sauvignon Blanc (Südsteiermark)
AustriaThe lovely, subtle smokiness of reduction still clings to the nettle and ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Saracina 2019 Lolonis Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Redwood Valley)
Mendocino CountyThis mouthcleansing wine holds its green apple and mild baking-spice flavors tightly ...See Full Review$28 -
Westerly 2019 Fletcher's White Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara)
Central CoastRipe and clean aromas of apple blossom, yellow pear and Meyer lemon ...See Full Review$32 -
Talley 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Edna Valley)
Central CoastWet grass, apple peels and the faint aroma of seashore show on ...See Full Review$34 -
King Estate 2018 Croft Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Willamette Valley)
Willamette ValleyCroft is well established as the state's Sauv Blanc specialist. This new ...See Full Review$26 -
Kuranui 2020 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
New ZealandA heady perfume of pineapple, lime leaf and passionfruit is backed by ...Best BuySee Full Review$13 -
Rancho Sisquoc 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Barbara County)
Central CoastWet cement, yellow-apple, honeysuckle and underripe peach aromas show on the nose ...See Full Review$20 -
Shannon Ridge 2019 Clay Shannon Betsy Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (High Valley)
Lake CountyThis slightly reserved wine plays its citrus and mineral cards close to ...See Full Review$30
- $1–$15(5,248)
- $16–$25(5,888)
- $26–$40(2,233)
- $41–$60(463)
- $61–$75(112)
- $76–$99(55)
- $100–$199(11)
- $200+(1)
- Sauvignon Blanc(12,605)
- White Blend(1,416)
- Chardonnay(85)
- Bordeaux-style White Blend(74)
- Portuguese White(59)
- Pinot Grigio/Gris(49)
- Semillon(38)
- Viognier(34)
- Chenin Blanc(25)
- Other White(24)
- Spanish White(22)
- Italian White(21)
- Rosé(20)
- Riesling(19)
- Sparkling(15)
- Albarino(11)
- Pinot Noir(9)
- Rhone-style White Blend(7)
- White blend(7)
- Bordeaux-style Red Blend(5)
- Gewurztraminer(5)
- Marsanne(4)
- Pinot Blanc(4)
- Red Blend(4)
- Roussanne(4)
- Gruner Veltliner(3)
- Cabernet Sauvignon(2)
- Muscat(2)
- Shiraz/Syrah(2)
- Torrontes(2)
- Cabernet Franc(1)
- Greek White(1)
- Merlot(1)
- Pinotage(1)
- Portuguese Red(1)
- Tempranillo(1)
- Zinfandel(1)
-
US(6,190)
-
California(5,146)
-
Napa(1,375)
- Napa Valley(1,071)
- Rutherford(110)
- St. Helena(44)
- Oakville(38)
- Yountville(27)
- Calistoga(24)
- Oak Knoll District(17)
- Spring Mountain District(12)
- Napa County(11)
- Stags Leap District(8)
- Mount Veeder(5)
- Atlas Peak(2)
- Chiles Valley(2)
- Coombsville(1)
- Diamond Mountain District(1)
- Howell Mountain(1)
- Napa-Carneros(1)
-
Sonoma(1,222)
- Russian River Valley(330)
- Sonoma County(305)
- Dry Creek Valley(222)
- Alexander Valley(102)
- Sonoma Valley(84)
- Sonoma Coast(42)
- Knights Valley(38)
- Chalk Hill(29)
- Bennett Valley(28)
- Sonoma Mountain(16)
- Northern Sonoma(10)
- Green Valley(5)
- Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak(4)
- Sonoma(4)
- Fort Ross-Seaview(2)
- Fountaingrove District(1)
-
Central Coast(1,145)
- Santa Ynez Valley(279)
- Paso Robles(126)
- Happy Canyon Santa Barbara(122)
- Central Coast(104)
- Monterey(81)
- Santa Barbara County(76)
- Arroyo Seco(66)
- Monterey County(66)
- Livermore Valley(55)
- Edna Valley(53)
- Los Olivos District(22)
- Carmel Valley(19)
- Santa Maria Valley(11)
- Sta. Rita Hills(9)
- San Luis Obispo County(8)
- Ballard Canyon(5)
- Adelaida District(4)
- Santa Cruz Mountains(4)
- Santa Lucia Highlands(4)
- Chalone(3)
- Contra Costa County(3)
- Paso Robles Willow Creek District(3)
- San Bernabe(3)
- Santa Clara Valley(3)
- Santa Margarita Ranch(3)
- Arroyo Grande Valley(2)
- San Francisco Bay-Livermore Valley(2)
- Templeton Gap District(2)
- Cienega Valley(1)
- Monterey County-Napa County(1)
- Mt. Harlan(1)
- San Benito County(1)
- San Lucas(1)
- San Luis Obispo(1)
- Santa Barbara(1)
- California Other(446)
- Lake County(255)
- Mendocino County(215)
- North Coast(152)
- Sierra Foothills(123)
- Central Valley(97)
- Napa-Sonoma(78)
- South Coast(34)
- Mendocino/Lake Counties(4)
-
Napa(1,375)
- Washington(660)
- Oregon(152)
- New York(146)
- Virginia(47)
- Colorado(8)
- Michigan(5)
- Texas(4)
- Idaho(3)
- New Jersey(3)
- Pennsylvania(2)
- Arizona(1)
- New Mexico(1)
-
California(5,146)
-
France(2,694)
-
Loire Valley(1,817)
- Sancerre(980)
- Pouilly-Fume(396)
- Touraine(129)
- Menetou-Salon(105)
- Val de Loire(50)
- Quincy(47)
- Coteaux du Giennois(43)
- Reuilly(16)
- Touraine Chenonceaux(12)
- Cheverny(10)
- Vin de Pays du Val de Loire(10)
- Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France(8)
- Pays de Loire(3)
- Blanc Fume de Pouilly(2)
- Haut-Poitou(2)
- Muscadet Sevre et Maine(2)
- Pouilly-sur-Loire(2)
-
Bordeaux(449)
- Bordeaux Blanc(261)
- Pessac-Leognan(59)
- Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux(42)
- Graves(31)
- Entre-Deux-Mers(30)
- Francs Cotes de Bordeaux(5)
- Cotes de Bordeaux(4)
- Cotes de Bourg(4)
- Premieres Cotes de Blaye(4)
- Cremant de Bordeaux(2)
- Cotes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire(1)
- Entre-deux-Mers Haut-Benauge(1)
- Graves de Vayres(1)
- Margaux(1)
- Sainte-Foy Bordeaux(1)
- Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux(1)
- Sauternes(1)
-
Southwest France(221)
- Cotes de Gascogne(119)
- Bergerac Sec(28)
- Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne(20)
- Gaillac(15)
- Cotes du Tarn(9)
- Cotes du Marmandais(5)
- Comte Tolosan(4)
- Monbazillac(3)
- Montravel(3)
- Buzet(2)
- Cotes de Duras(2)
- Cotes du Lot(2)
- Gaillac Doux(2)
- Vin de Pays du Comte Tolosan(2)
- Bergerac(1)
- Jurancon(1)
- Perigord(1)
- Vin de Pays de Cotes du Tarn(1)
- Vin de Pays du Lot(1)
- France Other(124)
- Languedoc-Roussillon(49)
- Burgundy(20)
- Provence(9)
- Rhone Valley(5)
-
Loire Valley(1,817)
-
New Zealand(1,608)
- Marlborough(1,293)
- Hawke Bay(70)
- Martinborough(65)
- Awatere Valley(35)
- Nelson(35)
- Waipara(20)
- Central Otago(19)
- Waipara Valley(13)
- Wairau Valley(12)
- New Zealand(10)
- Wairarapa(10)
- North Canterbury(5)
- Canterbury(4)
- East Coast(4)
- South Island(4)
- Kumeu(3)
- Canterbury & Marlborough(1)
- Gladstone(1)
- Hawkes Bay(1)
- Marlborough & Hawkes Bay(1)
- Omaka Valley(1)
- Waiheke Island(1)
-
Chile(1,371)
- Casablanca Valley(385)
- Leyda Valley(204)
- Central Valley(154)
- Colchagua Valley(98)
- Maule Valley(90)
- Curico Valley(85)
- Maipo Valley(72)
- San Antonio(48)
- Limari Valley(34)
- Rapel Valley(28)
- Elqui Valley(21)
- Chile(20)
- Cachapoal Valley(19)
- Bio Bio Valley(17)
- Lolol Valley(17)
- Aconcagua Valley(16)
- Aconcagua Costa(14)
- Lontue Valley(11)
- Loncomilla Valley(8)
- Molina(6)
- San Antonio-Maipo Valley(4)
- Colchagua Costa(3)
- Curico Leyda Valleys(3)
- Marchigue(3)
- Aconcagua(2)
- Leyda Valley-Maipo Valley(2)
- Malleco(2)
- Rio Claro(2)
- Atacama Valley(1)
- Austral Region(1)
- Casablanca-Curico Valley(1)
-
Italy(694)
-
Northeast Italy(580)
- Alto Adige(219)
- Collio(133)
- Colli Orientali del Friuli(77)
- Friuli Colli Orientali(23)
- Venezia Giulia(23)
- Friuli Grave(21)
- Friuli Isonzo(15)
- Vigneti delle Dolomiti(14)
- Delle Venezie(10)
- Trentino(10)
- Friuli Aquileia(9)
- Isonzo del Friuli(9)
- Alto Adige Terlano(4)
- Friuli(4)
- Alto Adige Valle Isarco(3)
- Carso(2)
- Friuli Venezia Giulia(2)
- Garda(1)
- Venezie(1)
- Tuscany(30)
- Sicily & Sardinia(24)
- Central Italy(23)
- Veneto(13)
- Southern Italy(12)
- Piedmont(10)
- Italy Other(2)
-
Northeast Italy(580)
-
South Africa(538)
- Western Cape(149)
- Stellenbosch(120)
- Coastal Region(59)
- Robertson(29)
- Elgin(24)
- Constantia(23)
- Durbanville(23)
- Walker Bay(16)
- Paarl(10)
- Franschhoek(9)
- Simonsberg-Stellenbosch(9)
- Groenekloof(8)
- Darling(5)
- Elim(5)
- Hemel en Aarde(5)
- Cape Point(4)
- Cederberg(4)
- South Africa(4)
- Wellington(4)
- Swartland(3)
- Breede River Valley(2)
- Cape Agulhas(2)
- Cape Peninsula(2)
- Cape South Coast(2)
- Overberg(2)
- Polkadraai Hills(2)
- Upper Hemel en Aarde Valley(2)
- Ceres Plateau(1)
- Goudini(1)
- Jonkershoek Valley(1)
- Klein River(1)
- Lutzville Valley(1)
- Olifants River(1)
- Paardeberg(1)
- Philadelphia(1)
- Simonsberg-Paarl(1)
- Swartland-GroeneKloof(1)
- Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley(1)
- Australia(411)
- Austria(306)
- Spain(196)
- Argentina(187)
- Portugal(120)
- Greece(53)
- Israel(53)
- Romania(36)
- Bulgaria(20)
- Canada(18)
- Slovenia(17)
- Germany(15)
- Uruguay(12)
- Mexico(11)
- Moldova(6)
- Croatia(5)
- India(5)
- Lebanon(5)
- Czech Republic(3)
- Morocco(3)
- Hungary(2)
- Peru(2)
- Macedonia(1)
- Serbia(1)
- Turkey(1)
- Nonvintage(65)
- 2020(5)
- 2019(660)
- 2018(1,082)
- 2017(1,094)
- 2016(1,031)
- 2015(960)
- 2014(1,073)
- 2013(849)
- 2012(816)
- 2011(663)
- 2010(650)
- 2009(747)
- 2008(816)
- 2007(655)
- 2006(625)
- 2005(604)
- 2004(471)
- 2003(417)
- 2002(350)
- 2001(329)
- 2000(295)
- 1999(138)
- 1998(129)
- 1997(52)
- 1996(6)
- 1994(1)
- 1992(1)