Amongst the most popular and celebrated grape varieties in the world, Sauvignon Blanc — like the little bottle of Calvet Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc in August’s Bubble Box – makes for refreshing wines that pair with a wonderful array of delicious food. Here’s everything you need to know about this great grape.
This grape is 100% Gallic
The name ‘Sauvignon Blanc’ translates directly to ‘wild white’, a reference to this grape’s long and storied history in the southwest of France. The grapes grew wild in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux, where your Calvert has its origins, for centuries until early winemakers tamed these vines. In the 19th century, Sauvignon Blanc grapes were crossed with Cabernet grapes, to form an equally popular red grape: Cabernet Sauvignon. To many, Bordeaux – the home territory of Sauvignon Blanc – is considered the best wine region in the world.
It produces great wines around the world
While the home and heart of Sauvignon Blanc are in Bordeaux, this is one grape variety that can produce stunning wines right across the world. The most famous Sauvignon Blancs are French, American and from New Zealand. Depending on the ripeness, the flavour of a Sauvignon Blanc can range from tart to tropical; so, wines from colder regions like France will have the flavour of lime or green apple, while hotter climate wines will taste more like passionfruit or, if the grapes are very ripe, peach.
The Calvet Sauvignon Blanc in your August Bubble Box is a classic Old World Sauvignon Blanc, fresh and refreshing whilst still being complex enough to pair perfectly with food. The prestigious winery behind it, House of Calvet, was founded 200 years ago by visionary winemaker Jean Marie Calvet.
It’s a fabulous wine to pair with food
If you’re cooking up a classic bistro meal at home, odds are that Sauvignon Blanc will be great wine to pair with at least one of your courses. More savoury and herbaceous than a white variety like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blancs pair exceptionally well with green herbs: parsley, cilantro, rosemary, basil and mint. Any dish featuring these flavours will bring out the best in your little bottle of Calvet. It can also stand up to light meats like pork and chicken, white fish and rich vegetarian dishes.
This wine in particular, produced by a winery with 200 years of history and heritage behind it, is a wonderful wine to pair with food. With a palate alive with the citrusy scents of grapefruit, the palate opens up with peach, lime and lemon flavours. Chilled to 10 degrees, it’s a perfect partner for any fish or white meat, particularly those served in creamy sauces.
