Italian Sauvignon Blanc - How Do They Really Compare?
Most Sauvignon Blanc Wines are quite distinctive and very easily recognised by their sharp and aggressive aroma. Sauvignon Blanc wines typically evoke scents of grapefruit, lime, green melon, gooseberry, passion fruit, bell pepper and even freshly mown grass. Unlike Chardonnay Wines which are usually aged in oak barrels, Sauvignon Blanc wines are usually fermented in stainless steel drums which accentuate the wine's crisp and zesty qualities.Sauvignon Blanc wines are crisp, dry white wines which makes them a great accompaniment to a wide variety of foods. This is especially true of Italian Sauvignon Blanc Wines which have a reputation for cutting through pungent flavors like raw garlic and smoked cheeses that other dry white wines (like Chardonnays) would simply clash with. (see Wine and Food Pairing)
Considering the growing popularity of Sauvignon Blanc wines, it is of little surprise that Italian Sauvignon Blanc wines have also become more popular and with good reason. The best Italian Sauvignon Blanc wines come from the northeast of Italy. They are wonderfully intense and reach the high standards of other world-class Sauvignon Blanc wines.
1998 was a particularly great year for Italian Sauvignon Blanc wines. (see also History Of Sauvignon Blanc) In fact, many argue that it was the year in which Italian Sauvignon Blanc wines really made a name for themselves. The truth is that there have been some truly excellent Sauvignon Blanc wines coming from Italy for many years now. And, that's all that matters!
One of these excellent Italian Sauvignon Blanc wines include the 1998 Venica Sauvignon Blanc Ronco Delle Mele which is powerfully herbal with a subtle sweetness. The 1998 San Michele Appiano Sauvignon Blanc St. Valentin is an excellent well rounded Italian Sauvignon Blanc wine selection (see also Sauvignon Blanc Wine Recommendations).
The 1998 Ascevi-Luwa Sauvignon Blanc Ascevi is another one of those exceptional Italian Sauvignon Blanc wines. It has a dry, nutty flavor with a strong, floral bouquet. If you like Gewurztraminer wines, you should give this one a try. Italian Sauvignon Blanc wines are often compared to Gewürztraminer wines but this wine in particular shares a certain intangible quality with Gewürztraminer wines which is nearly impossible to describe. Both of the Italian Sauvignon Blanc recommendations listed above are also quite reasonably priced at approximately twenty dollars a bottle.
Another excellent choice in Italian Sauvignon Blanc wine is Collio Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc Grapes and is fermented in stainless steel drums. This wine is straw yellow in color and has a scrumptious aroma of pears and pineapple. This Italian Sauvignon Blanc has a rich, spicy bouquet and a well balanced acidity which gives it a very smooth finish on your palette. This is a classic Italian Sauvignon Blanc which is definitely a contender to some of the best Sauvignon Blanc wines available anywhere.
Although Italian Sauvignon Blanc wines are a relatively new competitor to many of the longer established Sauvignon Blanc wineries, they are indeed competing with many of the best Sauvignon Blanc wines and their rising popularity in the wine trade is a true testament to the quality you will find in many Italian Sauvignon Blanc wines.
