How to Identify an Australian Sauvignon Blanc
Australia has a long history of producing some of the best wines in the world. Although the country is most famous for its production of a red wine called Shiraz, Australia can also produce a delicious Sauvignon Blanc. Read on to learn how to identify an Australian Sauvignon Blanc. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Know that Sauvignon Blanc is not common in Australia, and there are not many producers. You will see much more Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay and table wine.
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Identify the bottle. Check the wine label for a few pieces of information. First, the label must say "Sauvignon Blanc." Sometimes wines are blends of multiple grapes. This is more common in reds, but you may see labels that indicate percentages, such as "20 percent Chardonnay," "19 percent Sauvignon Blanc." If there is a percentage, this is not a full Sauvignon Blanc; it is a blended wine. Second, check the wine label for "Product of Australia, or "Made in Australia." Wine can sometimes be bottled by an independent company, so do not rely on the "Bottled in..." section of the label to confirm the wine's origins unless it specifically says "Bottled in Australia."
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Evaluate the color. If you have no label to guide you, look at the wine's hue. Sauvignon Blanc has a very, very light yellow or straw color. The lighter the wine, the higher the possibility that it is Sauvignon Blanc. If you see a greenish tint or a very bright yellow, the wine is either too young, too old or not a Sauvignon Blanc. Wines come in literally thousands of shades of color, so don't rely solely on the hue to identify it as a Sauvignon. Rather, use the color as a hint.
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Taste the wine. A Sauvignon Blanc from Australia will be a light wine with a heavy aroma. You may be able to smell it from far away, but the taste will be light on your tongue. Taste for fruity flavors such as apple, mango, pear, melon or lime. This wine can sometimes produce a hint of oak, and it will usually be slightly sour. Australian Sauvignon Blanc is most commonly described as having "grassy notes" and "citrus fruit flavors."
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Purchase wine that has been produced in one of the cooler regions of Australia. The grape used to make Sauvignon Blanc does not grow well in hot climates. Look for wines from South Australia, Adelaide Hills, Padthaway and Margaret River. Occasionally you may see a Sauvignon Blanc that is from Western Australia.
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Tips & Warnings
Sauvignon Blanc is almost always consumed when it is young. Unlike many of its wine relatives, it does not age well. If you are browsing through a cellar or a connoisseur's collection, you will probably not encounter any Sauvignon Blanc.
Know that Shaw & Smith is a big producer of Australian Sauvignon Blanc.
Don't confuse New Zealand with Australia. New Zealand is one of the top producers of this variety of wine, while Australia is much more limited in its production. A Sauvignon Blanc grown, produced or bottled in New Zealand is not an Australian Sauvignon Blanc.
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Comments
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PaulShipley
Mar 09, 2008
In my books there are two types of sauvignon blanc. The warmer climate and the cooler climate. The warmer climate wimes are often high in alcohol and are more inclined to have a passionfruit nose and often have some oak treatment. The cooler climate wines invariably have more pungent aromas and crisp flavours like capsicum and asparagus. As a general rule have no contact oak. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc follows this rule with the best ones coming from the southern regions and the more boring ones from the north. This rule can be applied when looking for good sauvignon blanc here in Australia, avoid the warmer climates one that generally have higher alcohol and the ones with oak treatment. Unfortunately Australia will never ne New Zealand but if you look hard enough there are usually a few stars out there. -
PaulShipley
Mar 09, 2008
In my books there are two types of sauvignon blanc. The warmer climate and the cooler climate. The warmer climate wimes are often high in alcohol and are more inclined to have a passionfruit nose and often have some oak treatment. The cooler climate wines invariably have more pungent aromas and crisp flavours like capsicum and asparagus. As a general rule have no contact oak. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc follows this rule with the best ones coming from the southern regions and the more boring ones from the north. This rule can be applied when looking for good sauvignon blanc here in Australia, avoid the warmer climates one that generally have higher alcohol and the ones with oak treatment. Unfortunately Australia will never ne New Zealand but if you look hard enough there are usually a few stars out there.
