Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon Go Together Like Peas and Carrots

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon Go Together Like Peas and Carrots – Episode #545

September 24, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk tastes 3 whites that feature this classic grape combination.

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Comments on this episode(150) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: Im not too sure. Im sure I have at a tasting, but cant recall….” by Dessert Wine Nerd
“Really appreciated the explanation at the beginning as to why they pai…” by yowens
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Wines tasted in this episode:

Steenberg Sauvignon BlancSouth African Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Cadaretta Sauvignon Blanc/ SemillonColumbia Valley White Meritage
2006 Volker Eisele GeminiNapa White Meritage

150 Responses

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September 26, 2008

Jayhitek
Did we not get a question??
Good show. Love the quick 10 minutes ones.
September 26, 2008

Kenny Dion
Not a big white wine fan, but I am opening up. Sauv. Blanc is my favorites of the whites. I’ll try this blend.
September 26, 2008

pawncop
Great show and will try the Steenberg ASAP.

I know that I have had a SB/Sem blend in the past and noted the difference but cannot recall the producer.
September 26, 2008

mike l
ALL SOUTH AFRICAN EPISODE AGAIN PLEASE!
September 26, 2008

Tyler Walker
now that you mention it….i picked up a white bordeaux from ABC on the way to the beach…and it wasnt shabby at all..quite tasty
September 25, 2008

Grace
Hi Gary–Is it just me or have you noticed all the green pepper coming out of the southern hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand)? I know it’s a different, acquired taste and they’re promoting the heck out of it but I have to say I don’t care for it much. Anything super vegetable-like i.e, green pepper, leads me to believe they made the best of a bad weather season–underripe grapes or picked too early… It’s an acquired taste and though I would never diss a wine in that respect, I say, “Bring back the gooseberry and grapefruit.”
September 25, 2008

Jim in Atlanta
QOTD – Yes, have had white bordeaux and enjoyed them.
September 25, 2008

Kevin
QOTD: Not that I can recall, and I appreciate you opening me up, yet again, to something new. I’m a huge Sauv Blanc fan, so look forward to giving a few of these a go. Wish we could get the Steenberg in our province…
September 25, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Many many white Bordeaux for me and I really like the taste. None of these you described here would match even a low end white Bordeaux.
September 25, 2008

D.A.
Surprised that when discussing these two varietals Kalin Cellars Semillon or S.B. were not represented. For a further reference read a Tanzer review on Kalin.
September 25, 2008

Derek F.
Great show, as always, need that wrist band!!!!!!!!

QOTD: I have, don’t remember what kind it was, it was a white Bordeaux.
September 25, 2008

manonthemoon
Great show, love the green bands. So how do we get one again?

QOTD: Had a few, nothing that really did it for me though. I really prefer the Northern rhone whites myself.
September 25, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: Not sure about the blend. I know I’ve had South African whites that were a blend, but I can’t recall what.
September 25, 2008

Brandon Snell
Very interesting group.

QOTD: Never, but I am a fan of both so I’m sure I’ll like it.
September 25, 2008

italianwinelover
Love the color of the new wristbands!!! Go Green!

QOTD: Yes and loved them – was on a mission this year to find a SavBlanc that I liked this was one of them!
September 25, 2008

Robin C
QOTD: I have and I’ve heard that the semillon given the sauvignon blanc the lemony taste which I like a lot.
I hope the Volker Eisele Cab is better. We gave one to my cousin by marriage, Volker, and haven’t yet heard the results.
September 25, 2008

M
Eat Drink or Die is great. Everyone, go there. Now.
September 25, 2008

Andy
QOTD—– One of my favorite blends of wine and I have had plenty of them. Need to try more South African wine … Every one I have had has been good.
September 25, 2008

Rafi Schutzer
I recently tasted two white Bordeau wines, Chateau Guiraud Sauternes Premiere Cru 1999 and Chateau Piada Sauternes 2001. They were also from the limited kosher cuvees that were produced by these chateaux. If you like honey . . .
These are sweet wines.
September 25, 2008

Casey Lee
nice vid GO JETS
September 25, 2008

Gary Safir
Hey Gary. I spent an extended amount of time in France this summer, in Tours. I had a chance to travel down to Bordeaux, though, and I tried a semillon/sauvignon blend. It was an excellent wine, I completely agree with you, but I think i prefer the sauvignon, on its own, from the Loire valley. I’m not sure, why. Very informative video.
September 25, 2008

brainpain
GV: New wristband! SWEET! Hook a brotha up!
QOTD: I have several in stock but yet to pop one. Looks like tonight will be as good of a night as any!
September 25, 2008

Murso
P.s. – TONS can be learned about Eisele, and many other historical (literally!) movers and shakers in the Napa Valley in the excellent bok, Napa – The Story of an American Eden, by James Conaway. 1990, Houghton Mifflin.
September 25, 2008

Murso
QOTD- Yes. Though French by invention (Entre-Deux-Mers,i.e.Bordeaux), great examples (Peter Lehman, Ch. Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven) abound, spanning the globe and price ranges. Cheap CAN be good – they’re employing the Blender’s Art to exploit the strengths of each grape, but don’t cellar.
Gary – Volker Eisele (EYE-zlee), a Ph. D. in sociology, has been an important source of (organic) grapes for names such as Ridge, Joseph Phelps, and Araujo, since the early seventies. Any number of problems may explain this bottle. First, organic wines have no sulfite added, though a tiny amount is present naturally. That makes them more fragile than the norm, and it is widely known how porly many organic wines’ shelf life, or aging potential is. Drink upon release, or DYA!!! This bottle, an ‘06, in clear glass, no less, may have been mishandled at any point since leaving the winery. That includes shipping, distrbution network, even in the retail store,if exposed to exessive heat, cold, or light. Semillon can be rather flabby – oily fruit, low acid, no tannic structure (as most all white). A high (72%) percentage of Sem in the composition, with 4 months barrel ageing (further muting (ML) acidity), with relative low alcohol, is a ‘perfect storm’ for quick bottle evolution. As a professional, and avatar to the Vayniac nation, many of whom are learning from you, please try another bottle/vintage (esp. Cabs) from The Eisele Vineyard to properly familiarize yourself with this legendary grower.
September 25, 2008

Cesare
Just had a white Bordeaux that Matt Recommended: Reignac Blanc. Sold out now but great stuff.
http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=33157