Elegant

A descriptive term for a wine with such FINESSE and BALANCE that it tastes refined rather than rustic.

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.

“A raisin tastes like a raisin. It’s bad for the wine industry when [grapes get so ripe that] wine from all places tastes the same.”

—Randy Dunn
Owner/winemaker of Dunn Vineyards in the Napa Valley
Dunn kicked up a controversy a few years ago by vowing to never make a wine over 14% alcohol.

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