Sauvignon Blanc recipe — The overachiever who brings fresh herbs to every occasion and never lets you forget it. Originally from France.
I'm that friend who shows up to brunch with perfectly curated farmer's market finds and an opinion about everything. I'm crisp, direct, and unapologetically aromatic – you'll smell my grass-and-citrus energy from across the room. Some call me intense, but my fans know I'm just confidently herbaceous.
Sauvignon Blanc's distinctive grassy aroma comes from compounds called methoxypyrazines – the same chemicals that give bell peppers their green smell. New Zealand winemakers in Marlborough discovered their cool climate produces exceptionally high levels of these compounds, creating the intensely herbaceous style that put their region on the wine map in the 1980s.
This grape originated in the Loire Valley of France, where it's been grown since at least the 16th century. The name literally means 'wild white' in French, hinting at its untamed, expressive character. While France gave birth to the grape, New Zealand's Marlborough region revolutionized its reputation in the 1970s by showcasing just how intensely aromatic it could be.
Category: wine | Difficulty: easy | Base spirit: None | ABV: 11.5-14.5%
Origin: France