The Sauvignon Blanc Taste Off

The Sauvignon Blanc Taste Off – Episode #245

May 30, 2007

Gary Vaynerchuk explores these 4 Sauvignon Blancs and gives his 2 cents.

Comments on this episode(183) Leave a comment ›

“Great to see the Sauvignon Blancs. Try a blind tasting of them soon?
…” by dcpatton
“QOTD: NZ, but I need to expand to other parts of the world. Sorry abo…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
View all 183 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Coopers Creek Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Sterling Sauvignon BlancNapa Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Kingston Family Cariblanco Sauvignon BlancChilean Sauvignon Blanc
2005 Morin Sancerre Vieilles VignesSancerre Blanc

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183 Responses

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May 31, 2007

jack
new zealand by far! the nose alone on these suckers are worth the price of admission. qpr can’t be beat as most of these highly scored 89+ are all $10-15. marlborough is the golden standard right now as far as quality and consistency from year to year.
May 31, 2007

Kirk
Gary….great show. I agree that there are a lot of marginal SB out there…but my favorites come from New Zealand…and Oregon(Patty Green). Great show…
May 31, 2007

Elliot
Yo GV! I want you to try Alpha Omega’s Sauv Blanc. Alpha Omega is the newest winery in the NV and I think their Sauv Blanc is bangin.
May 31, 2007

t_moderne
QOTD – I mostly cook with Sauvignon Blanc. And that is usually from NZ. Sure, I’ll take a sip while cooking – but after my mouth puckers at the lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, tartness of the SB, I cork it and put it in the fridge. I then open the red wine that will be served with dinner, pour a short wine (to let the rest of the bottle breathe) and enjoy that.

Will we see G.V’s mugshot on “Smoking Gun”?
Cool!
May 31, 2007

Greg B.
Ok Big G. I think I’m sticking to Rose’s and Other white wines for the summer. Maybe, just maybe some New Zealands. QOTD, New Zealand and you’ll didn’t show me any other winners here so……..
May 30, 2007

wm mole
Usually use SB’s as a palate cleanser and my socks have mostly remained on. Have liked them tho with a bowl of steamed clams, chewy dunked french bread and butter.

Cal/USA only.
May 30, 2007

nougat
QOTD:
1. New Zealand
2. France
3. South Afica (similar to the NZs)
4. CA – haven’t had many good ones lately. Rochioli makes a nice one.

I would have taken that Jets jersey off and fashioned it into a green skirt so fast…
May 30, 2007

BV
Cali!

America!

By jingo!

Bill V.
May 30, 2007

NathanN
Gary have a Blast in San Fran!
May 30, 2007

amgryger
QOTD: Only ever had sauvignon blanc from New Zealand. I figure I am probably several years behind on trying all the wine I want to try.
May 30, 2007

NathanN
QOTD: I SUCK. I don’t drink Sauvignan Blanc. When I have a white wine it is usually a Riesling
May 30, 2007

Herm
I have only had one Sauvignon Blanc and it was from California….I think I will look for some New Zealands….Thanks for the episode….
May 30, 2007

mike m
QOTD As with all the white wines I don’t drink MARRRRRRRRRS
May 30, 2007

Jen
QOTD: I’m not afraid to say, as you were not afraid to wear your team’s jersey in Oakland, that I like our Sauvignon Blancs here in the USA. So there!
Honestly, I don’t have a favorite Sauv. Blanc from another country yet; maybe I haven’t tried the right one.
Don’t be mean to Cali!
May 30, 2007

EricB
There is goes — it probably didn’t like the full http url link
May 30, 2007

EricB
Why are my comments not showing up???

take 3:
My favorite SB (in my limited SB experience), is from California… Geyser Peak. It’s very vegetal, and needs a strong vegetable dish to pair with… like this one:
Greek Pizza
tv.winelibrary.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6028
May 30, 2007

Roberto
In my humble opinion, France has a lock on Suav Blanc. Sancere with raw oysters is an unrivaled combination.
May 30, 2007

yowens44
QOTD: New Zealand hands down. Love the grass and red grapefruit. My girlfriend watches every episode with me and is too shy to write but she says “hi.”
May 30, 2007

GeneV
QOTD: France. Sancerre is (usually) a beautiful, balanced wine.

However, I have had excellent California SB as well. Rochioli is as good as it gets, and Hanna makes a nice SB as well. For uniqueness, Dutchers Crossing is interesting, though not typical. None of these will blow QPR off the charts.

Interesting coincidence that this episode happens a couple of days after someone starts a thread on SB on the forum. I still think too much of the Marlborough SB tastes like the litter box on the prairie–pee and grass is starting to become to NZ SB what butter and oak became to CA Chard (IMO).
May 30, 2007

John Witherspoon
Hey GV

Nice LL Cool J shout out at the beginning of the episode. It sure sounded like you got some dud Sauv Blancs, minus the 1st one. Sauv Blanc is the fall back wine for summertime around the Witherspoon house, MMMMMMMMMM!

QOTD: New Zealand – Price, Quality, Consistency, the WHOLE PACKAGE. I know she is probably played out but Kim Crawford never disappoints.

I know you were hating on Cali tonight for the Sauv Blancs, but Ferrari Carrano has a great Fume and a great Sauv that rocks, as well as Grgich HIlls (a little pricey but yummy)

J DUB
May 30, 2007

gatormha
“Dear California….” CLASSIC!

QOTD: I, too, have had only California. And after that episode, I realize that I may as well have not had any at all.
May 30, 2007

Pete Wanning
Gary:

Great episode. After tasting numerous NZ Sauvignon Blancs over the past months, with a few sprinklings of California S.B.s mixed in, I can definitely say that all of the California S.B.s have been disappointing.

We have fallen in love with the Marlborough region, and although sometimes predictable, it usually always delivers in some form or another and can be distinctive with the flinty aspects that Sancerre sometimes delivers.

Give me a Matua, Geisen, Monkey Bay or Kim Crawford any day over an uninspiring CA S.B.

pww
May 30, 2007

portman
QOTD: New Zealand, over and over again. But I do hear the Loire calling…

Thursday evening I will be at a tasting featuring Aussie wines. We’ll see where the thunder is tomorrow night.

The Viddler works fine, have not had any trouble, even during the internet prime time of 8 PM + in the eastern time zone. The last time I had buffering troubles was the Bordeaux episodes.
May 30, 2007

Gilbert
For my money, the Loire Valley produces the gold standard in SB wines, Gary’s underwhelming example notwithstanding. Try the Sancerres of Alphonse Mellot, or the thrilling Pouilly Fumes of Dagueneau if you doubt me. have ‘em with a hunk of goat cheese, or a plate of briny oysters, preferably East coast or European – and see how these wines sing with food. Even Thai food works with them! And I should know, ’cause I’m a sommelier!
May 30, 2007

maggiej
QOTD: Sadly, have only tried sauv. blancs from california I have to agree with your assesment too. I did like Babcock vineyard’s 2006 estate sauvignon blanc (nice pine), but poor QPR.