SAUVIGNON BLANC...A TRUE SUMMER WINE...by Philip S. Kampe

Sauvignon Blanc, a green grape varietal, originated in France's Bordeaux and Loire Valley Region (southwest France). The grape gets its name from the French word 'Sauvage', which means WILD and 'Blanc' that translates into WHITE.

Facts:
Sauvignon Blanc was originally indigenous to only southwest France.

The grape is now planted worldwide.

The most famous producers of Sauvignon Blanc include New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Australia and California.

Sauvignon Blanc was one of the first wines that was bottled with a screwcap. Over 90% of
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is sold with a screwcap.

Sauvignon Blanc is a grape that is used in the French dessert wine, Sauternes.

Sauvignon Blanc is usually consumed young.

French Sauvignon Blanc from Graves and Pessac, when aged in oak, can age up to fifteen years.

California's first cuttings of Sauvignon Blanc were brought to the state in the 1880's by Charles Wetmore, founder of the Cresta Blanca Winery. The cuttings came from Chateau d'Yqem.

In 1968 Robert Mondavi promoted Sauvignon Blanc as 'Fume Blanc'.

In the 1970's the grape was introduced to New Zealand. The grape was going to be an experimental grape that was going to be blended with Muller-Thurgau.

Sauvignon Blanc is now being planted in Italy's Collio region. It is a main ingredient in the Italian sweet wine, Muffato della Sala.

The Sauvignon Blanc grape buds late, but ripens early. It flourishes in cooler climates.

New Zealand's Marlborough region has recently gained the reputation as the world's leading producer of Sauvignon Blanc.

Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with sushi and Thai food.

Loire Valley wines made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc include Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. They are usually un-oaked.


AROMAS and FLAVORS:
The varietal aromas and flavors include gooseberry, lemon-grass, weeds, grass, grapefruit, lime, melon, mineral, green olive, bell pepper and asparagus.

Sauvignon Blanc is naturally high in acidity and is normally tangy, tart and zesty.

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RECOMMENDED SAUVIGNON BLANC WINES WITH FAIR PRICE POINTS
If you sample all of the wines below you will see the worldwide flexibility of the Sauvignon Blanc grape and it's impression on your palate. It does not matter where the grape is grown, whether in New Zealand, France, Chile, South Africa or California.
The impact of the Sauvignon Blanc grape is Worldwide.

Prices for the wines below vary from $8.99 to $11.99 a bottle
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DASHWOOD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 by VAVASOUR WINES Marlborough, New Zealand
This wine was developed in 1989 in the Awatere Valley.
Clean fruit with mineral overtones.
Very intense and concentrated fruits yielding citrus, melon and tropical fruit flavor.
Long, clean, crisp finish.
$9.99 a bottle
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GOLDWATER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008 Marlborough, New Zealand
Goldwater Estate was established in 1978. In 2006 they merged with Vavasour creating one of New Zealand's largest wine companies.
The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc was cool fermented in stainless steel.
The color of the wine is pale straw gold.
Aromas of grapefruit and passion fruit dominate.
Concentrated flavors of tropical fruit and citrus.
Long, crisp finish.
$11.99 a bottle
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VINA LOS VASCOS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 by Les Domaines Barons de Rothchild (Lafite)
Casablanca Valley, Chile
In the mid-1800's vines were brought to Chile from Bordeaux to improve the quality of wines at the Vina Los Vascos vineyard. This Sauvignon Blanc is a result of that action.
The aromas of Vina Los Vascos resemble boxwood, chives, pineapple, lime and green apple. It is very expressive on the nose.
The palate tastes like fresh, creamy fruit with a touch of minerality on the finish.
$8.99 a bottle
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CHATEAU DE JAU SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009 Roussillon, France
Located in the JaJa Range, this wine is made by Estelle Daure, an ambitious winemaker.
Chateau de Jau is stored in stainless steel tanks for four months to enhance the true fresh fruit flavor associated with Sauvignon Blanc.
The nose of this wine resenbles blackcurrant.
On the palate, flavors of crispy, zesty honeyed grapefruit dominate.
It is a very lively wine.
$8.99 a bottle
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Le Petite Perriere SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008 by GUY SAGET Loire Valley, France
Jean-Louis and Christian Saget, known as the Saget brothers, produce outstanding wines on their limestone and clay based 150 acre vineyard.
The Le Petite Perriere Sauvignon Blanc 2008 represents a wine with intensity. The ripe peach and apricot aroma is followed by a complex ripe melon flavor that explodes on your palate.
$11.99 a bottle
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SPLIT OAK ESTATES SAUVIGNON BLANC 'SUR LIE' 2009 by MORRO BAY
Acampo, California
Split Oak vineyard has been making wine since the late 1800's.
The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc is crisp with exotic fruit overtones, followed by the unique flavors of gooseberries and juniper berries.
$9.99 a bottle
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ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY INTO THE SAUVIGNON BLANC WORLD!

++Please let me know what you think++

PHILIP S. KAMPE