New Jersey Sauvignon Blanc

 

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular wines in the world. This white grape is widely planted. It is the eighth most planted grape in the world. French wine lovers have been enjoying Sauvignon Blanc from regions like Sancerre for centuries, while New Zealand has been attracting new converts with offerings like Kim Crawford. The latter wines have a bit more of the characteristic notes of grapefruit than the French versions.

You don’t see many ads for American-based Sauvignon Blanc. But I have some good news for those who like Sauvignon Blanc, while living in or near New Jersey. We have a number of wineries in the Garden State making some top notch Sauvignon Blanc. Pictured above from left to right: Blue Cork Winery, William Heritage Winery, Turdo Vineyards and Sharrott Winery. Today I will share a few of my personal favorites.

The following are examples of New Jersey Sauvignon Blanc that I have enjoyed recently:

• Turdo Vineyards Turis Sauvignon Blanc-With back-to-back vintages of awesome Sauvignon Blanc, this one is a great one; subtle notes of grapefruit and lemon grass; easier to pair with food than the New Zealand versions. Their 2018 received a score of 89 from The Wine Enthusiast.
• Hawk Haven Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc-A delicious wine, a bit more like a French version; very tasty.
• William Heritage Winery Sauvignon Blanc-a consistently good version. They even make a very nice Semillon, often used to blend with Sauvignon Blanc.
• Blue Cork Winery-a new and excellent entry with citrus notes, including a subtle grapefruit
• Sharrott Winery Sauvignon Blanc-Available now for the first time in many years and definitely worth trying.

Two others that I have enjoyed in the past with new vintages I am looking forward to trying:

• Autumn Lake Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc- at $15 per bottle, a bargain.
• Natali Vineyards 2017 Sauvignon Blanc-A very reasonable $17 per bottle.

In my humble (if somewhat biased) opinion, New Jersey Sauvignon Blancs get it just right. While retaining the characteristic notes of the wine, they don’t hit you over the head with the grapefruit (more characteristic of the New Zealand versions). This makes pairing much easier. What food would you pair with grapefruit juice? Maybe your breakfast egg dish…

Cheers!

You can still pick up a copy of New Jersey Uncorked: A Snob-Free Taste of NJ Wine at Bookbaby:

store.bookbaby.com/book/New-Jersey-Uncorked or Amazon.com.

I also have some personal copies that I have signed and will have available soon. More on that next week.

Update on My Goal of Trying New Varietals

I recently tried Garganega in a wonderful blend with Sauvignon Blanc (Anselmi San Vincenzo, WS 90). A wonderful, refreshing Italian white blend. Well-deserving of making the top 100 in Wine Spectator in 2016.

I also tried another great white Italian blend of Verduzzo and Pinot Grigio in the delicious Masi Masianco Pinot Grigio/Verduzzo 2017.

So if you’re keeping score, the Garganega and Verduzzo, makes four new varietals this summer.

Coming Attractions

• New Jersey Coeur d’Est
• New Jersey Cabernet Sauvignon
• Winemakers Co-Op Tasting at Beneduce Vineyards

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