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2022 Margaret Sauvignon Blanc
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Wine Details for 2022 Margaret Sauvignon Blanc
| Type of Wine | South Africa White |
|---|---|
| Varietal |
Sauvignon Blanc
: The varietal of Sauvignon Blanc, which hails from Western France and now successfully grown in emerging and established wine regions all over the world, is an ancient grape. Sauvignon Blanc and its red counterpart, Cabernet Franc, gifted to the world of wine its offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. Its progeny has become the most popular and widely planted varietal in the world but Sauvignon Blanc is no slouch, ranking among the top ten, itself. Its exact emergence upon the earth is still undetermined, but appears to be indigenous to central France (the Loire Valley) or to the southwest France (Bordeaux). There is still discussion as to Sauvignon Blanc’s actual origins, with both Bordeaux and the Loire claiming to be the grape’s homeland. Both fashion incredible wine from the varietal and have been a leading force for the wine’s world-wide popularity. Sauvignon Blanc is so popular today, that 123,000 hectares are planted to the varietal across the world, ranking third among all white wine producing varietals, behind only Airen (218,000ha) and Chardonnay (211,000ha). The origin dispute aside, the grape’s versatility means its regions and styles are remarkably diverse, both within France and internationally. Sauvignon Blanc’s geographical spread and versatility means it is found in a range of styles from classic dry white wines to individual, highly aromatic international interpretations to highly unctuous, sweet wines. The Loire appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume produce, arguably, the greatest example of the quintessential Sauvignon Blanc offering, often as a single-varietal and unoaked bringing forth wines that are mineral, citrusy, steely, bright and reasonably long-lived. Pouilly and Sancerre are home to some of the top selling Sauvignon Blanc domains in the world, from Dageuneau (Pouilly-Fume) to Vacheron (Sancerre). Bordeaux also produces a classic dry white from Sauvignon Blanc, but is most often in the form of a blend of Sauvignon and Semillon. Haut-Brion Blanc, Pavillon Blanc de Chateau Margaux (100% Sauvignon Blanc) and Cos d’Estournel Blanc are some of the top selling, quality white Bordeaux offerings. Whereas the typical winemaking techniques of Loire do not involve oak-aging, it most often does occur in Bordeaux, giving the wine a signature texture and a mix of herbal and tropical aromas. In Sauternes (including Barsac) a very unique winegrowing method is implemented. The grapes of Sauvignon Blanc (Semillon and Muscadelle) endure a long hang time in which the late Autumn fog and humid climate attracts Botrytis Cinerea, a fungus that attacks the grape, also known as noble rot. The result is an unctuous, utterly delicious golden liquid that has placed the wines of Sauternes as some of the most characteristic and expensive in the world. Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Climens are undoubtedly among the top producers in the region. Outside of France, Sauvignon Blanc, with its diverse and easily manipulated qualities has grown in popularity and now inhabits over 38 countries in some of the greatest terroir hotspots including New Zealand, California, Chile, Spain and Australia. Sauvignon Blanc arrived in California in the 1860’s but the varietal’s mainstream influence on American consumers wouldn’t come until 1966 when Robert Mondavi fashioned a dry white in the style of a Loire wine, naming it Fume Blanc. The varietal has only grown in quality and popularity in America since. Sauvignon Blanc thrives in terroirs and climates that mimic that of the Loire Valley, where it perhaps, reaches its full zenith. The soil consists heavily of flint (silica), which gives it a smoky aroma found in both Pouilly-Fume and Sancerre. However, Sauvignon Blanc is quite adaptable to a myriad of terroirs around the world, revealing each terroir through the wine itself. The varietal of Sauvignon Blanc is simply tremendous in its quality, non-discrimination of its elements (to a degree) and has fashioned some of the world’s most intriguing array of wines. |
| Country |
South Africa
: With over 300 years of winemaking history, South Africa is often described as bridging the gap between the Old World and New. Most vintners, today, are using New World winemaking techniques but there are many ways in which the wines are stylistically similar to their Old World counterparts. In recent years, South African Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have become internationally popular, which has greatly contributed to an already prospering wine industry. From South Africa’s signature grape Pinotage (an indigenous crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault and rarely seen outside the country) to the legendary dessert wine Vin de Constance which brought world-wide recognition and fame during the 18th and 19th centuries, South African viticulture has become one of the most prominent wine regions in the world. With a vast array of climates and terroirs, the South African landscape offers an incredibly diverse portfolio of wine styles. From the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape to the Northern Cape’s barren, arid soils dominated by the Kalahari Desert, South African terroir is well suited to the varietals cultivated there. The Mediterranean climate also plays an important role and is significantly influenced by the meeting of Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country has 96,000 hectares under vine, of which 55 percent are cultivated to white grape varieties. Chenin Blanc is the country’s most planted grape with 18.5 percent of all grapes, followed by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and numerous other white varietals. Though the crisp, dry and refreshing white styles produced have dominated the recent wine market, Pinotage, Shiraz (Syrah), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also widely planted red grape varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are often found used together in “Bordeaux Blends.” Vines were first planted in South Africa in the 1650s by Dutch settlers, but it was not until French Huguenots arrived in the 1680,s bringing with them viticultural skills and knowledge, when the country would become a recognized wine producing region. Constantia is the oldest wine region, and also where the world famous Vin de Constance was first produced. Stellenbosch is just as recognizable as a wine producing region and graces many labels on the international wine market. Today, South Africa has garnered global recognition and is one of the most important wine producing countries in the world. Its annual wine output of 10.4 million hectoliters is an incredibly impressive accomplishment for a relatively “young,” New World wine producer, placing it 8th among all wine producing countries. |
| Region | South Africa |
Overview
| Producer | Margaret |
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