Sauvignon Gris (SO vin nyawn GREE)

A grayish pink skinned genetic mutation of sauvignon blanc (gris means “gray” in French). Less aromatic and less “green” tasting than sauvignon blanc and less edgy on the palate. Grown primarily in Bordeaux and Chile, though there are also experimental plantings in California.

Sauvignon Blanc in California traces its history to?

A. Several vineyards in Sancerre

B. Château d’Yquem

C. Spanish missionaries

D. The town of Pouilly Fumé in the Loire Valley

In California, sauvignon blanc’s history dates back to the late 1800’s when a journalist turned winemaker named Charles Wetmore planted cuttings from Château d’Yquem in his vineyards in Livermore. Before founding the historic Cresta Blanca winery (no longer in existence), Wetmore convinced the California state legislature to establish a state viticultural commission. As the commission’s first president, he traveled to prestigious wine estates throughout of Europe, collecting cuttings to bring back to California. Today, sauvignon blanc is the fourth-leading white wine variety in California behind chardonnay, French colombard, and pinot gris.

“Context is wildly underrated when it comes to enjoying wine. Where we are, whom we’re with, what time of year it is, what we are eating, when in the wine’s life—and ours—we are drinking it, and even how we are drinking it all influence our perceptions of wine.”

—Tyler Colman
A Year of Wine: Perfect Pairings, Great Buys, and What to Sip for Each Season

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