Wine Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

Parent of Cabernet Sauvignon producing increasingly appreciated aromatic, zesty, crisp whites. Early to mid ripening. Very vigorous and needs to be planted on low-vigor rootstocks in soils that are not too fertile, otherwise the canopy can be almost uncontrollable. Small, compact bunches of small berries are highly susceptible to botrytis bunch rot, as well as to diseases of the wood, and to powdery, but not to downy, mildew. Cordon-trained vines are susceptible to Eutypa dieback.

Sauvignon Blanc is the third most planted white wine variety in France, after Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano) and Chardonnay.