WHAT IS SAUVIGNON BLANC? THE CRISP WHITE WINE EXPLAINED

If you are a wine drinker in the UK, you have almost certainly drunk Sauvignon Blanc — probably a lot of it. But do you actually know what it is? Here is the full story.

WHERE IS SAUVIGNON BLANC FROM?

Sauvignon Blanc originated in France, where it is the primary grape in the wines of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the Loire Valley. It is also grown extensively in Bordeaux, where it is blended with Sémillon to make both dry and sweet wines.

Today it is most closely associated with New Zealand — particularly Marlborough — where the tropical, intensely aromatic style became a global phenomenon.

WHAT DOES SAUVIGNON BLANC TASTE LIKE?

Sauvignon Blanc is characterised by high acidity and very distinctive aromatics. In cooler climates like the Loire Valley, you get citrus, flint, and grassy, herbal notes. In warmer climates like Marlborough, the style shifts to intense tropical fruit — passionfruit, grapefruit, and white peach.

It is almost always dry, refreshing, and food-friendly.

IF YOU LOVE SAUVIGNON BLANC, TRY GRÜNER VELTLINER

The Groover by Loco Wines is a certified organic Grüner Veltliner from the Hoch family in Kremstal, Austria. If Sauvignon Blanc is your go-to white, Grüner Veltliner will feel immediately familiar — crisp, citrus-driven, dry, and refreshing — but with an extra mineral quality and a distinctive white pepper note that makes it genuinely interesting. Available at locowines.co.uk.