What does Sauvignon Blanc taste like? It is a crisp, dry white wine with high acidity. Expect lime, grapefruit and lemon first. Then come green notes, such as fresh herbs or cut grass, or tropical fruit, such as passion fruit and guava. Is Sauvignon Blanc sweet? No, almost all of it is dry. How do you say it? So-vin-yon blonk.
How do you pronounce Sauvignon Blanc?
Say it so-vin-yon blonk. The name is French. Blanc means white, and sauvignon is usually traced to sauvage, meaning wild. The grape comes from western France, where the Loire Valley and Bordeaux still grow it widely.
Is Sauvignon Blanc sweet or dry?
Sauvignon Blanc is dry. During fermentation, yeast turns nearly all the grape sugar into alcohol, so almost no sweetness remains.
High acidity makes it taste even drier. That bright, mouthwatering edge is the grape's signature, and it keeps the finish clean.
Why does it sometimes seem sweet? Tropical aromas such as guava, passion fruit and melon smell sweet before you sip. On the palate, the wine stays crisp. See where it sits on our wine sweetness chart.
A few sweet dessert wines, mostly from Bordeaux, blend Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon. Our dessert wine guide explains how sweet wines are made.
Why does some Sauvignon Blanc taste grassy and some tropical?
Climate makes the biggest difference. The grape carries aroma compounds called pyrazines, which smell of cut grass, green herbs and green bell pepper. Cool weather keeps them high.
In warmer, sunnier places, riper grapes lose much of that green note and gain tropical fruit. Picking time pushes the same way. Grapes picked early taste greener and sharper, and grapes left to hang taste riper and rounder.
| Cooler sites | Warmer sites | |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Lime, grapefruit, green apple, cut grass, fresh herbs | Passion fruit, guava, melon, ripe citrus |
| Acidity | Very high and racy | High, but softer |
| Body | Light | Light to medium |
| Where you find it | Loire Valley, France; cool coastal sites | Sunnier inland sites, including much of California |
| Try it with | Goat cheese, oysters, asparagus, green salads | Shrimp, grilled chicken, fruit salsas |
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc often shows both at once: bold tropical fruit with a sharp green edge.
How does winemaking change Sauvignon Blanc?
Most Sauvignon Blanc ferments cool in stainless steel tanks, with no new oak. That keeps its citrus and green aromas sharp and fresh. Most bottles are made to drink young.
Some winemakers age it in oak barrels or rest it on its lees, the spent yeast from fermentation. Oak adds a rounder body and notes of smoke, toast or vanilla. Lees add a creamy texture.
In Bordeaux, winemakers often blend it with Sémillon, which brings weight and a waxy, honeyed note.
What is Fumé Blanc?
Fumé Blanc is another name for Sauvignon Blanc, used mostly in the United States. It borrows from Pouilly-Fumé, a Loire Valley wine made from the grape. Many bottles labeled Fumé Blanc see some oak, but not all, so read the tasting notes.
How is Sauvignon Blanc different from Pinot Grigio?
Both are dry, crisp whites. Sauvignon Blanc is zestier and more aromatic, with green and tropical notes, while Pinot Grigio is gentler, with pear and stone fruit. Our guide to white wine types sets them side by side with Chardonnay. More in our Pinot Grigio guide.
How should you serve Sauvignon Blanc?
Serve it well chilled, at about 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C). Cold keeps the acidity crisp and the citrus bright. Very cold mutes its aromas, so skip the freezer.
From room temperature, give the bottle two to three hours in the fridge. An ice and water bucket does it in 20 to 30 minutes. Our wine serving temperature guide covers every style.
A standard white wine glass gathers its aromas well. Recork an open bottle and keep it in the fridge; see how long wine lasts after opening.
What food goes with Sauvignon Blanc?
Think tangy, green and bright. High acidity stands up to lemon, vinaigrette and goat cheese, which make softer wines taste flat. Green notes in the glass meet herbs and green vegetables on the plate.
| Dish | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Fresh goat cheese, as in our lemon goat cheese crostini | Acidity matches the tang, and lemon zest echoes the citrus |
| Oysters, clams and shrimp | Citrus notes work like a squeeze of lemon on briny shellfish |
| Green salads with vinaigrette | Acidity holds its own against a sharp dressing |
| Asparagus, peas and our lemon butter green beans | Green, herbal notes meet green vegetables, and acidity cuts the butter |
| Pesto pasta, or chicken grilled with lemon and herbs | Citrus and herbal notes lift basil, garlic and lemon |
| Poached salmon or delicate white fish | A crisp, citrusy white keeps a gentle dish bright |
| Yellowtail with ponzu, or cucumber rolls | Lime and lemon notes echo citrusy ponzu and cool, green flavors |
| Grilled artichokes or lemon hummus | Bright acidity suits earthy artichoke and tangy, garlicky dips |
Skip it with steak and rich braises, which call for a red; see what wine goes with steak. For more fish, see wine with salmon and wine with sushi. Building a board? Our wine and cheese pairing guide covers the rest of the cheeses.
Our Sauvignon Blanc
The 2023 Vintner Sauvignon Blanc is bright and refreshing, with a crisp, easy style. Lime and lemon lead, with guava and star fruit behind them, and lively acidity keeps it fresh.
Pour it with oysters, grilled artichokes or a spring board with lemon hummus. It belongs to our Vintner collection, and ONEHOPE wine gives back.
Giving a bottle? The Classic Vintner Wine Gift lets you choose Vintner Sauvignon Blanc, presented in a magnetic gift box with gold foil ONEHOPE branding. Recipients must be 21 or over, and an adult signature is required at delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sauvignon Blanc sweet or dry?
Sauvignon Blanc is dry. Its tropical aromas can suggest sweetness, but high acidity keeps it crisp. Only a few dessert wines that blend it with Sémillon are sweet.
How do you pronounce Sauvignon Blanc?
Say so-vin-yon blonk. The name is French, and blanc means white.
Why does Sauvignon Blanc taste grassy?
The grape carries aroma compounds called pyrazines, which smell of cut grass, herbs and green bell pepper. Cool climates and early picking keep them high. Riper grapes from warmer places taste more tropical.
Is Fumé Blanc the same grape as Sauvignon Blanc?
Yes. Fumé Blanc is another name for Sauvignon Blanc, used mostly in the United States. Bottles labeled Fumé Blanc often see some oak, so they can taste rounder and toastier.
Should Sauvignon Blanc be chilled?
Yes. Serve it well chilled, at about 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C). Two to three hours in the fridge does it. Very cold wine tastes muted, so avoid the freezer.
What cheese goes with Sauvignon Blanc?
Fresh goat cheese is the classic match, because the wine's acidity meets the cheese's tang. Feta and other fresh, salty cheeses work for the same reason.
Is Sauvignon Blanc related to Cabernet Sauvignon?
Yes. DNA studies show that Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Read more in our Cabernet Sauvignon guide.
