If there is a perfect summer wine, it is Sauvignon Blanc. It is light, crisp and refreshing. The grape originates from Bordeaux and is also widely grown in New Zealand and California. It pairs well with many different types of food as well. The Sauvignon Blanc grape was named by the French word “sauvage,” (wild) because vines weren’t even planted. Characteristics of this wine is crisp, fresh, bright acidity, grassy, herbaceous and tropical aromas and flavors. Wine aficionado’s also use the term, “cat’s pee on a gooseberry bush,” from the New Zealand and Loire Valley. I’ve not smelled a gooseberry bush, but we do have three cats in the house. I have smelled cat pee in sauvignon blanc, it was interesting, but not horrible. Sauvignon Blanc is also the main grape used in my favorite type of wine, Sauternes.

Sauvignon Blanc’s from New Zealand are my favorites. They are very complex and are inexpensive. They have notes of grapefruit, pineapple, kiwi and fresh cut grass. You can easily find great Sauvignon Blanc’s from New Zealand under $15. After the grapes are crushed, they are fermented in steel containers, most of the time. This keeps the wine very fresh and light. Goat cheese and Sauvignon Blanc are a really nice pairing.

Delicious pairings: Leek and Goat Cheese Custard, Goat Cheese Dip