Native to France yet practically synonymous with New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular white wines in the world, and for good reason. The versatile white has incredible range depending on where it’s produced. In its home country, Sauvignon Blanc — known as Sancerre or Pouilly-Fume, if grown within those regions — tends to have an herbaceous minerality, while those hailing from New Zealand deliver tropical fruit flavors and intense acidity.
But the grape is also taking off in the U.S., where thirst for the crisp white wine is skyrocketing. In 2022, Sauvignon Blanc sales hit 16.6 million cases, making it one of the fastest-growing wines in the country. That same year, 1,744 acres of Sauvignon Blanc were planted in California, increasing the grape’s plantings by almost 50 percent.
