Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape variety of French origin, historically associated with the Loire Valley and the Gironde, where it has been documented since the 16th century. Genetic analysis suggests it probably originated from a spontaneous cross with Savagnin, whilst Cabernet Sauvignon is thought to have resulted from a cross with Cabernet Franc. The leaf is pentagonal, generally five-lobed, with a blistered surface, wavy margins and a slightly downy underside. The bunch is small to medium in size, conical and compact, often featuring one or two wings and a very short stalk; the berries are small to medium, ellipsoidal, with green-yellow skins and soft flesh. Widespread across numerous wine-growing regions worldwide, in Italy it finds particularly significant expression in Friuli Venezia Giulia – especially in the Colli Orientali, Collio and Grave – as well as in Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Lombardy, Tuscany and other wine-growing areas. The wine is straw-yellow in colour, often with greenish highlights, underpinned by lively acidity and a generally light-bodied structure, though it is capable of greater depth with ripe harvests, fermentation in oak or ageing on the lees. The aromatic profile ranges from citrus, elderflower, white peach and delicate herbs to elegant vegetal notes, a result of the grape variety’s distinctive aromatic richness. The fresher versions best express their youthfulness, whilst the more structured examples can evolve, developing mineral complexity and balsamic nuances.
