Celebrate Sauv Blanc Day With These Napa Valley Picks

The word sauvignon is thought to have originated from the French term for wild, describing how the plant grew freely across the Bordeaux region of France. While Sauvignon Blanc may not be the wildest in the bunch now (see what we did there?), this dry wine’s crisp, fruity flavors are begging to be poured and paired, and savored on warm weather days. As it’s the most widely planted wine grape around the globe, the diversity in style and taste can be vast depending on location and process of aging and fermentation. Bright, buttery, or complex, in celebration of 2017’s Sauvignon Blanc Day on April 24th, we’re showcasing seven of the finest and favorites produced in Napa Valley.

Grgich Hills Estate
1829 St Helena Highway
Rutherford, CA 94573

2014 Fume Blanc, Napa Valley
Near drought conditions in 2014 produced an amazing vintage in Grgich Hills American Canyon and Carneros organic vineyards. The grapes thrived with the cooler, Bay Area breezes and slowly ripened while retaining their peak acidity. The fruit was harvested and aged and fermented in an extensive combination of barrels, including 900-gallon French oak, and smaller oak and neutral barrels. This process created a vintage with notes of juicy tropical fruits and spritely lemongrass that leaves a minerality on your tongue with its finish.

Hess Collection
1445 Mount Veeder Road
Napa, CA 94558

Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
The fruit for Hess Collection’s Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from their Allomi vineyard in the rolling hills of Napa Valley. Here the grapes are treated to a warmer, long growing season. Lemon verbena and white peach create an initial aromatic impression, and flavors of citrus and floral citrus blossom continue the rich dance and completes with crisp complexity that lingers.

Miner Family Winery
7850 Silverado Trail
Napa, CA 94558

Miner Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
This fresh Sauv Blanc is best sipped young. A blend of grapes from vineyards in both Rutherford and Oakville have developed the aromatic notes of stone fruit and herbs associated with this youthful wine. Aged and fermented in stainless steel, this fruity wine is dynamic, crisp, and refreshing.

Provenance Vineyards
1695 St Helena Highway
St Helena, CA 94574

2015 Provenance Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford
Provenance Vineyards Sauv Blanc 2015 vintage has distinctive notes of tropical fruit and grapefruit with an additional intensity of bright layers of citrus flavors. Grapes were grown and plucked at their top maturity from vineyards from the Rutherford AVA. Aged in both stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels to create a creamy complexity with hint of oak spice, this wine lays heavy, yet silky, on the tongue, and mingles flavors of sweet, lively fruit and floral aromas.

Flora Springs
1978 Zinfandel Lane
St Helena, CA 94574

2015 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
2015 was a year of low yields, but high quality fruit for Flora Springs. Their 90 point Sauvignon Blanc has intricate layers, celebrating the nature of the harvest. Bright and fruity, citrus and passion fruit are the key flavors aligning with a subtle floral quality. Mid-palate, drinkers experience a nutty quality alongside nuances of ginger that concludes with a bit of spice and minerality. Flora Springs suggests this vintage to be best enjoyed by 2019.

Insider Tip: Sauvignon Blanc pairs best with delicate, fresh seafood, tangy dairy elements, green, spring vegetables, and soft cheeses, especially goat cheese. Plan an early evening tasting menu and enjoy this crisp, herby white while taking in warmer days and celebrating your own Sauv Blanc day. Tag your images #SauvBlanc on April 24th to document and cheers your own version of this international wine day.

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