White Wine Sauvignon Blanc: Styles, Low Alcohol Options and Food Pairing

What is sauvignon blanc?

Sauvignon blanc is a white grape that originated in France, where it is grown in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. It is known for high acidity and an aromatic, herbal and fruity profile that makes it easy to recognise in a glass.

Wines can be made in a fresh, unoaked style or in a richer, oak-influenced style, and it is often blended with semillon in Bordeaux and Western Australia.

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What does sauvignon blanc taste like?

Classic flavours include lemon, lime, grapefruit, green apple, gooseberry, passionfruit and freshly cut grass. In cooler climates the wine leans herbal and mineral, and in warmer sites it moves towards tropical fruit.

The high acidity gives a crisp finish, which is why sauvignon blanc is so refreshing when served cold.

Where is sauvignon blanc grown?

France is the original home, with Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the Loire. New Zealand, especially Marlborough, made the pungent, tropical style famous around the world.

In Australia, sauvignon blanc is grown in regions such as the Adelaide Hills and Margaret River, where it is also blended with semillon. Compare local and imported bottles in our white wine range.

What is low alcohol sauvignon blanc?

Low alcohol sauvignon blanc is made with a lower ABV than a standard bottle, either by harvesting earlier, by stopping fermentation sooner or by gently removing some alcohol after fermentation. The wines taste lighter and often a little sweeter.

They suit lunches and warm afternoons. Check the ABV on the label, because there is no single standard for what counts as low alcohol.

Can you cook with sauvignon blanc?

Yes. A dry, unoaked sauvignon blanc is a good cooking wine because its acidity brightens sauces. Use it to steam mussels, deglaze a pan for chicken or fish, or finish a creamy pasta sauce.

Do not cook with a wine you would not drink, and use the same style at the table that you used in the pan. Cooking reduces the alcohol but concentrates the flavour, so choose a clean, dry bottle.

What food goes with sauvignon blanc?

Sauvignon blanc loves fresh, green and tangy flavours. Goat cheese, asparagus, salads, grilled fish, oysters, prawns and dishes with fresh herbs all work well.

It also handles dishes with lemon, lime or a little chilli heat. Avoid heavy, rich sauces, which overwhelm its delicate aromas.

How is sauvignon blanc different from chardonnay?

Sauvignon blanc is crisp, aromatic and lean, while chardonnay is more neutral and shaped by winemaking, ranging from steely and unoaked to rich and buttery. Read more in our guide to white wine styles.

If you like fresh and zesty, choose sauvignon blanc. If you prefer something fuller and rounder, try chardonnay or pinot gris.

How should you serve and store sauvignon blanc?

Serve sauvignon blanc well chilled, at about 7 to 10 degrees Celsius. A few minutes in an ice bucket is enough on a hot day.

Most sauvignon blanc is designed to be drunk young, within one to three years of the vintage, while the aromas are fresh. Store bottles in a cool, dark place away from heat.

How do you choose a sauvignon blanc?

Look at the region and the vintage, and choose the most recent vintage for a fresh style. New Zealand tends to be vibrant and tropical, France more mineral and restrained, and Australia somewhere in between.

Browse the sauvignon blanc collection for current bottles. We ship insured across Australia, and an adult (18+) must sign for every delivery.

How do you buy online from Doctors of Whisky?

Doctors of Whisky is a Sydney-based online bottle shop. Browse the collection, add bottles to your cart and choose PayID, bank transfer, Bitcoin or USDT at checkout; paying with Bitcoin or USDT takes 12% off.

The minimum order is $300 AUD. Orders of $1,500 AUD or more ship free by express courier, and a flat $75 AUD fee applies below that. Delivery is insured, and an adult (18+) must sign for every parcel.

How can you drink responsibly in Australia?

The Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol recommend no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol, and the label on every bottle shows the number of standard drinks.

Pace yourself, eat before and while you drink, alternate with water, and never drive after drinking. You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol.