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
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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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June 1, 2007

Brian
I’ve never tried Chilean SB, so can’t respond to that one. I loved one New Zealand wine opened this month-Giesen-which was explosive aqnd fruity and grapefruity. Definitely outstanding. I also liked a Sancerre-Apicud??? which was completely the opposite-very lean and austere and reticent. Complketely different style, and I can’t say one is “better.

I can’t dismiss California, my home, so easily. Sterling basically makes plonk, almost across the board. It’s not very representative. I actually enjoy Mason Cellars (especially the $$$$ Reserve). There are some small producers probably only easily available out here-Farella-Park, Elizabeth Spencer, Matanzas Creek. The best seem to be more austere than NZ yet fruitier than Sancerre.
June 1, 2007

ChadD
QOTD: Loire with food and NZ by itself. Hey the third wine was even clearer than the second-looked just like water! I did enjoy the 04 Kenwood SB that I bought because of all the press it got in WS. I tried the 05 recently and it was VERY underwhelming. I’m starting to see what you mean about Cali SB.
May 31, 2007

Grapedigger
I love the explosive nose of Sauv Blancs!…New Zealand Sauv Blancs seem to dominate QPR scale, Babiche & Kim Crawford are examples…
Cheers,
Grapedigger – Montreal
May 31, 2007

Jennifer
QOTD: I suck.
I’ve had one & I don’t remember what it was.
May 31, 2007

Wine Lush
QOTD: Loire for Sauvignon Blanc, I kicked it last year with a Didier Daguenaux Pouilly Fume Silex 1998. I lucked into the bottle. It was one of those serious wine moments, where it wasn’t opened too soon or too late, it was just right. I enjoy NZ, but I consider it a picnic wine, it’s great it the Texas heat. But when you want to BRING the rock stars to your party….there’s no where like Loire (clicking heels three times) there’s no where like Loire…..no where like Loire……
May 31, 2007

Carolyn
QOTD: South Africa – hands down.
May 31, 2007

Joe
What ever happened to Brandon M? He used to post 10 comments every show, and usually most always in 1st position.
May 31, 2007

Liz & John
We used to be Big sauvignon blanc fans until Gary helped us discover and explore new wines old and new world ..but NZ Fernleaf SB without a doubt our favourite SB..Getting a bit hard to get our hands on in Ireland though !
May 31, 2007

Joe
Gary;

France (Louire Valley and Bordeaux) is the country of the best Sauv. Blancs!

But You really dissed Cali pretty badly. True, Cali makes worse SB than NZ or France…..but don’t pull up Peter Michael’s source of SB. Peter Micahel’s SB is perhaps the greatest white wine experiences of my life,

Joe
May 31, 2007

Mott Hoople
Don’t overlook South Africa (although I think the Chenin Blancs I’ve had are even better). Not as strong as NZ, but pretty damn good.
May 31, 2007

mcj
QOTD – NZ for sure
May 31, 2007

stewart l
QOD-No question,New Zealand is the place for sauvignon blancs. I don’t care for calig. S. blancs-too grassy
May 31, 2007

Carlitos
QOTD: France even if this Sancerre didn’t come through.
May 31, 2007

Irene King
I love Sauv Blancs and Sancerres (different types, same pleasure) because they are pleasant, refreshing, and fun. Kinda like Roses.
May 31, 2007

wallace
QOD: i think new zealand is the spot for sav. blanc. I just love that grassy, fuity tomcat smell and the crispness of that region. I’ve had a few from France and Chile that were nice, and been drinking lots of Las Brisas from Spain which is a sav. blanc and verdejo blend. I think Sauvignon is a great summertime varietal.
May 31, 2007

karl satirev
New Zealand is very good, but France is romance.
May 31, 2007

eduardo amaral
Hi Gary,
For California SB, try Mondavi FumÃ© Blanc 2004. It’s explosive and gorgeous!
Cheers!
==
Eduardo (out of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil)
May 31, 2007

Adrian
I have always hated Sav Blanc..A few of my family members swear by it, but it has such a weak sugar water taste to me…I have never found one that I like…See you in SF, can’t wait…I think I’ll bring something good maybe a Sterling Vineyards Sav Blac…lol
May 31, 2007

Renee Anderson
I agree completely that most California SB’s suck (although many improve immensely when paired with food). But I do have to agree with others about trying Sterling as a benchmark. That stuff is garbage, yuk. I also realize you are generally tasting wines that are available to the general public, so many of the wines I prefer may not be available in other parts of the country. All I can say is don’t let Sterling pass as the high mark for California SB’s. Some from the Paso Robles area are quite nice (eg Castoro Cellars). Matanzas Creek (Sonoma) has a great SB and probably is available in other areas. Navarro is fabulous but I think is mainly in restaurants and off their web site. And as someone else said, Cakebread baby.

That said, love the French.
May 31, 2007

kevin
QOTD, New Zealand.
May 31, 2007

Ben Daniel
I grew up in Mendocino County in Northern California, where, in the Anderson Valley, which opens to the coast, Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown. I’ll take your letter up North and ask them to plant Pinot Noir and Gewertzimenor (mangled spelling, I’m sure) instead. I’ve never liked Sauvignon Blanc, but after watching your show I’ll try looking to something beyond the local product.

Cheers,

Ben
May 31, 2007

Susan
Wow – serious Calif-bashing lately! How about a show on the Cali-wines that rate for you?

And yes – the prices shoot up as soon as a wine gets a good review in the O.C. Register. –since ‘you are’ “what you drive”, “what you wear” and “what label is on your table” out here….can’t deny that one.

…on my way to check out the Kensington SB if I can find it….thanks!
May 31, 2007

Rich F
GV, don’t judge all Cali SB by the likes of Sterling. For that matter don’t judge any varoietal by the likes of Sterling.
May 31, 2007

RieslingRon
Got back from the Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta and have been going thorough last week’s episodes…………Great stuff.

SB is becoming one of my favorite whites……….NZ and France have the market cornered as far as I’m concerned.
May 31, 2007

WML
no-one makes classic SB’s except New Zealand. Have not tasted one from CALIf that is anywhere near the nose and palate of Marborough County. Try the Kim Crawford ‘06 for $12. Classic New Zealand.

New Zealand in my choice almost always.