History
The Sauvignon Blanc grape traces its origins to western France in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux Regions. At some point in the 18th century, the vine paired with Cabernet Franc to parent the Cabernet Sauvignon vine in Bordeaux. In the 19th century, plantings in Bordeaux were often interspersed with Sauvignon vert (In Chile, known as Sauvignonasse) as well as the Sauvignon Blanc pink mutation Sauvignon Gris. Prior to the phylloxera epidemic, the insect plague which devastated French vineyards in the 19th century, these interspersed cuttings were transported to Chile where the field blends are still common today. Despite the similarity in names, Sauvignon Blanc has no known relation to the Sauvignon Rosé mutation found in the Loire Valley of France.The first cuttings of Sauvignon Blanc were brought to California by Charles Wetmore, founder of Cresta Blanca Winery, in the 1880s. These cuttings came from the Sauternes vineyards of Château d'Yquem. The plantings produced well in Livermore Valley. Eventually, the wine acquired the alias of "Fumé Blanc" in California by promotion of Robert Mondavi in 1968. The grape was first introduced to New Zealand in the 1970s as an experimental planting to blended with Müller-Thurgau.
Climate and geography
Vineyards in Sancerre will often plant roses around Sauvignon Blanc vines as an early detector of powdery mildew.
The Sauvignon Blanc vine often buds late but ripens early, which allows it to perform well in sunny climates when not exposed to overwhelming heat. In warm regions such as South Africa, Australia and California, the grape flourishes in cooler climate appellations such as the Alexander Valley area. In areas where the vine is subjected to high heat, the grape will quickly become over-ripe and produce wines with dull flavors and flat acidity. Global warming has had an effect on the Sauvignon Blanc grape, with the rising global temperatures causing farmers to harvest the grapes earlier than they have in the past.
The grape originated in France, in the regions of Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. Plantings in California, Australia, Chile and South Africa are also extensive, and Sauvignon Blanc is steadily increasing in popularity as white wine drinkers seek alternatives to Chardonnay. The grape can also be found in Italy and Eastern Europe.
Fonte: Wikipedia
Postagens
I just wanted to point out that Stiria (Steiermark) in Austia, produces a very interesting style of SB and that cold climate is not enough to produce elegant wines from sauvignon blanc. Mineral rich soils and as little sun as possible, just like in most Northern Europe. The new world does try to replicate what monks, centuries of observation on grape/soil adaptation, blends, cold climate and overcast skies have created what we know today the history of wine. I think that SB from the NW lacks aromatic finesse and in most cases are just powerful without complexity. Unfortunately many big wineries that look more like refineries only producing manipulated customized wines that are no different than the method used to produce coca-cola. Starting from the yeast, designed to have an specific aromas, addition of enzymes and citrus acids, etc. The list can be very long, or rather recipe. Real SB does not taste like that and I think that very little real SB makes it to Brazil. If ever in France, I recommend to fill your glass with the Pouilly-Fuisse from Alexander Bain, natural, unspoonfilated SB. Cheers!
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ResponderExcluirSavio, I think there's not a "real SB". There are French, New Zealand, Chilean, Australian SB... You may prefer Old World style, or the "original", but can not say that New World SB is not SB.
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