Backyard barbeques, dinner parties, family vacations, quiet date nights…summer has so much to offer, and the right wine can bring it all together to create experiences you’ll never forget.
This summer, we’re celebrating Sauvignon Blanc in all its refreshing—yet complex—glory.
A Brief History of Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape that originated in the Bordeaux region of France. It is known to pair well with fish and cheese, and it is one of the few wines that can pair well with sushi. Sauvignon Blanc is so old that it’s a parent to Cabernet Sauvignon, but at first, winemakers did not ferment and bottle the grape on their own. Bordeaux winemakers instead chose to use the grape to make white blends or Sauternes, a dessert wine.
Sauvignon Blanc then traveled to Sancerre in the Loire Valley region of France.
There, it was planted and cultivated to create a single-varietal wine. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the varietal became popular in bistros and bars in Paris because it was easy to drink and paired well with or without food. However, it was known as Sancerre, named after the region it came from.
Finally, in the 1990s, Sauvignon Blanc became a household name. At that point, New Zealand winemakers had released the varietal on the international market. People took note. It was bright, crisp, and a definite crowd-pleaser. From there, Sauvignon Blanc continued to travel around the world and gained even more popularity.
Sauvignon Blanc in Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon may be the king of Napa Valley wines, but Sauvignon Blanc has earned its place as well—and rightfully so. Not only does Sauvignon Blanc respond well to Napa’s soil and climate, but the wines produced from this grape tend to be less grassy and pungent than their New Zealand and French counterparts. Although each producer has its own take on Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley’s warm weather and sunny days lead to crisp, fruit-forward wines that are versatile, complex, and pleasing to most palates.
Theorem’s Moon Mountain District Sauvignon Blanc
Now is the perfect time to stock up on our 2019 Moon Mountain District Sauvignon Blanc, our second Sauvignon Blanc vintage. At 1,600 feet of elevation and perched on the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountain, the growing conditions at our Moon Mountain estate are unlike any other. Our Sauvignon Blanc reflects this with an array of flavors that leap from the glass, take you on a journey, and invite you to enjoy another sip. In the dog days of summer, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
