The blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon is synonymous with Margaret River. Fresh, crisp and zippy, the wines are ideally suited to the region’s coastal lifestyle.Did you know there’s a new wave of these wines coming out of Margaret River, challenging connotations of this variety?
In fact, in the Halliday Wine Companion, Margaret River Sauvignon Blancs have represented up to 45% of Australia’s ‘Best of Best’ of this wine in each of the last five years.
The Wine Companion sums it up well, saying:
“Sauvignon Blanc is a little bit misunderstood these days. When thinking of wines made from this variety, most immediately go to the Marlborough's crisp, refreshing and dry expressions with easily identifiable flavours of gooseberry, passionfruit and tropical fruits – generally for under $20 a bottle. That, too often, is where the general population's understanding of Sauvignon Blanc begins and ends, with folks rarely exploring its more serious side…”
Textural and enticing expressions of Sauvignon Blanc and blends feature in the folios of many Margaret River winemakers, where the fusion of technical and intuitive prowess is unearthing creative new frontiers.
Practices such as maceration (grape skin-contact) and oak contact during fermentation, plus evolving maturation vessels such as barriques and foudres are driving complexity, texture and age-ability in a new generation of industry-leading styles.
Varietal Characteristics in Margaret River
Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes are sensitive to the temperature variance from north to south of the Margaret River region. Overall, both varieties are elegant in form, with pronounced fruit and retention of natural acidity as hallmarks.
In the north, more overt characteristics of passionfruit and lemon curd are seen. The southern fruit displays more delicate characters of citrus, gooseberry and lemongrass. From a varietal point of view, Sauvignon Blanc typically contributes fruit generosity and body, with tropical notes, while Semillon provides acidity and palate structure, with citrus and herbaceous qualities.
The art of blending allows the winemaker to compose a mosaic of their choice.
This Friday 2 May is International Sauvignon Blanc day - what better time to reacquaint yourself with a fresh take on an old friend?