ALL-IN ON BOOK REVIEWS: Do you have a (non-fictional or fictional) book related to wine, spirits, or beer that you'd like reviewed? Contact me!

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Sauvignon Blanc! It's the Ultimate Wine Club Theme

Sauvignon Blanc: The Ultimate Wine Club Theme

As a wine guy in the retail business, I get a lot of regular customers from various wine clubs that come around looking for suggestions. These people get together usually once a month and they each bring a bottle of wine and, sometimes, food to pair it with. Generally the cap limit is $15 a bottle.

They’re not only looking for suggestions and pairings to fit a theme, but whoever is hosting that month might be looking for a theme itself. It could be a region or part of the world. Northwestern United States is always a big hit, because Oregon and Washington produce great affordable wine and cover a bunch of different grapes and styles. One person is designated an Oregon Pinot Gris, another a Washington Merlot, etc etc. Or it could be different California red blends. Or it could be just one varietal from around the world, which is exactly where I’m going with this.

One theme that is always a smash hit, where everybody has the most fun and learns the most about wine, is Sauvignon Blanc from around the world. Every time I suggest it to those who haven’t done it yet, they come back raving about the results.

Sauvignon Blanc
SAUVIGNON BLANC
IMAGE CREDIT: weeklywineshow.com
Sauvignon Blanc takes in the terroir of its location more than any other. It can grow anywhere (“Sauvignon” does mean “wild”) and it can vary drastically depending on soil, altitude, climate, micro-climate, the culture of the people, and so on. For somebody who is just starting to learn about wine, or is just your average wine consumer, trying Sauvignon Blanc from all around the world can be an eye-opening experience. 

So if you’re in a wine club with six members or partners, this is what I would do; listed in the order they should be tasted. I would give you a rundown on what you’ll experience with each one, but that would take away from the fun. I want you to find out for yourself.

France - Sauvie’s homeland! If you’re gonna do a flight of Sauvignon Blanc, you better start off with its place of origin. Normally I’d say you should do a Sancerre or Pouille Fumé but they’re almost always above the $15 limit. So I’d suggest Guy Saget la Petite Perriere Sauvignon Blanc. This is actually a declassified Sancerre, so its quality is stunning. Pairing: goat cheese brie on crackers.

California x 2: One from Napa Valley and one from Sonoma Valley. This is to show just how different they can be from two places right next to each other. Perhaps Flint & Steel Sauvignon Blanc from Napa and Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc from Sonoma? Pair one with raw oysters; the other with grilled asparagus seasoned with salt, pepper and a few squeezes of lemon.

Chile - This country kills it with quality Sauvie at an affordable price, and it's usually flying under the radar. De Martino Sauvignon Blanc would be my top suggestion for under $15. Pairing: grilled chicken rubbed with lemon thyme and other fresh green herbs.

Mussels with bread crumbs
STEAMED MUSSELS WITH
BREAD CRUMBS

IMAGE CREDIT: kirbiecravings.com
South Africa - These can almost be like a cross between a Chilean Sauvie and a New Zealand Sauvie. Excelsior Sauvignon Blanc shows very well at these wine clubs and wins the night surprisingly often. Pairing: mussels steamed with diced tarragon and bread crumbs.

New Zealand - Marlborough, New Zealand is pretty much the world capital of Sauvignon Blanc right now. It’s the king, baby. In fact, there are many consumers that are only familiar with the NZSB style. These wines can be overpowering and palate-destroyers so you MUST save it for last. Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc or Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc are both outstanding choices for these events. Pairing: salad sprinkled with either dried fruits (such as cranberries and apricots) or roasted peppers.

As I already stated, there are many American consumers who are only familiar with the New Zealand style, and usually from that they've already come to a conclusion on whether they like Sauvignon Blanc or not. So naturally this is a great experience to kick open the doors and let the different expressions of Sauvignon Blanc right in.

Get this theme started on your next wine club gathering and prepare to have a fun experience with friends!

- Joey Casco, CSW/CSS
Newer Posts Older Posts Home

2 comments:


  1. CLEARNING MY BANK CREDIT SCORE
    E-mail: William-Mercado@cyber-wizard.com

    It's also one of the best decisions i've made in my life. I had bad credit for more than 4 years, then i was encouraged by an article to go reach out to MR. MERCADO made something that once seemed so incomprehensible to me, seem so easy. I love that they did an amazing and professional job in cleaning my credit files and no TRACE was left. I am the happiest woman alive.
    CONTACT info; William-Mercado@cyber-wizard.com

    ReplyDelete

Labels

*SPONSORED* ABriefHistoryOf Abruzzo Agiorgitiko Aglianico Airen Albarino Aleatico Alentejo Alexander Valley Alicante Bouschet Alsace Apothic Argentina Armagnac Arroyo Grande Arroyo Seco audio article Australia Austria Baco Barbera Barrossa Valley Batman Beaujolais beer Best Of biodynamic blend blog Bogati Bonarda book Bordeaux bourbon box wine Brachetto brandy Bulgaria Burgundy Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Cahors Caino Blanco California Campania Canada Canaiolo. cans Cape Cod Captain America Carignan Cariñena Carmenere Catalonia Cava Central Coast certification Chablis Chalk Hill Champagne Chardonnay cheese Chenin Blanc Chianti Chile China cider Cinsault Clarksburg cocktails Cognac Colombard Columbia Valley comics Cotes-du-Rhone Counoise Croatia CSW Dane Cellars DC dessert wine Distill Wars Dona Blanco Douro Dry Creek Dunnigan Hills Edna Valley Falanghina February Felix Hart Fer Servadou Fiano fiction Finger Lakes Folle Blanche formulas France Franciacorta Frankovka Frappato Furmint Galicia Galilee Gamay Garganega Gascony Germany Gewurtztraminer gin Glera Godello Graciano greco di tufo Greece Grenache Grenache Blanc Grillo Gros Manseng Gruner Veltliner GSM guest blog Heroes history horror how to Hungary interview Israel Italy Japan Jerez Kansas kosher Lambrusco Languedoc-Roussillon Left Coast Leyda Valley Lisboa Livermore Lodi Loire Loureira love letter Macon Madeira Madiran Malbec Malvasia Marcillac marijuana Marlborough Marsanne Marselan Marvel Massachusetts Matchbook Mavrud Mazuelo McLaren Vale mead Melnik Mencia Mendocino Mendoza Meritage Merlot Mexico Michigan mixology Monbazillac Monstant Montecucco Montepulciano Monterey Montery Moscato Mosel Mourvédre Muscadelle Muscat mythology Napa Navarra Nebbiolo Nero d'Avola New York New Zealand news non-alcoholic nonfiction Norello Mascalese North Coast Oakville Oregon organic original meme pairings Palestine Pecorino Pedro Ximenez Perricone Petit Verdot Petite Sirah Petite Verdot photo gallery phylloxera Picpoul Piedmont Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris/Grigio Pinot Meunier Pinot Noir Pinotage Pliny podcast Port Portugal Press Release Primitivo product Prosecco Provence quickie quote rakia recipe retail problems Retsina review Rheingau Rhone Rias Baixas Ribera del Duero Riesling Rioja Rondinella rose Roussanne Rubin Rueda rum Russian River Sagrantino Sake Salta Sandanski Misket Sandeanski Misket Sangiovese Sangria santa clara Santa Lucia Higlands Sauvignon Blanc science scotch Sekt Semillon Seyval Blanc Sherry Sicily Somontano Sonoma South Africa South Australia Spain spark Sparkling Spider-Man spirits stemware storage study sulfites Superman sustainable SWE Syrah Tannat Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Temecula Tempranillo Tequila Texas thc The Flash Tinta Amarela Tinta Caiada Torrontes Touriga Nacional Traminer Trebbiano Trincadeira Turkey Tuscany Ugni Blanc Umbria USA Valdiguié Valiant Valpolicella vegan Veneto Verdejo Verdicchio Vermentino Vermont Vermouth Vernacca Vidal Blanc video Vinho Verde Viognier Virginia Viura vodka Walla Walla Washington State whiskey White zinfandel Wildstorm Willamette wine Wine Bloggers Off-Topic wine club Wine Pick Wolverine Wonder Woman Zinfandel Zweigelt