International Sauvignon Blanc Day Date in the current year: May 3, 2024

Sauvignon blanc is a white wine grape variety that is believed to have originated in the Bordeaux and Loire Valley regions of France. Its name can be roughly translated as “wild white”, which is a reference to its origins as an indigenous grape in South West France.

Today, sauvignon blanc is one of the most widely planted wine grape varieties in the world. It is grown in Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, France, New Zealand, Romania, and the United States. It has also recently begun to gain prominence in Italy and South Africa.

The flavor of varietal sauvignon blanc wines can vary depending on the climate. Sauvignon blanc wines produced in cooler climates tend to be crisp and fresh, with noticeable acidity and herbaceous and floral notes, whereas sauvignon blanc grown in warmer climates can develop sweet tropical fruit notes. The primary fruit flavors of sauvignon blanc are green apple, lime, passion fruit, and peach. Sauvignon blancs are usually consumed young because they rarely have aging potential.

Sauvignon blanc is considered one of the most food-friendly white wines because pairs well with a variety of dishes. Common pairings include fish and seafood, poultry (chicken and turkey), smoked meats, fresh salads and other dishes with green herbs (basil, cilantro, dill, mint, parsley, rosemary, thyme, etc.), moderately spicy dishes seasoned with coriander, fennel, turmeric or white pepper, green vegetable dishes, pesto and other green sauces, and cheeses (goat cheese, Gouda, Gruyère). Besides, sauvignon blanc is one of the few wines that pair well with sushi.

International Sauvignon Blanc Day, also known as simply Sauvignon Blanc Day, originated in New Zealand, which is not surprising in the least because sauvignon blanc produced in the Marlborough wine region is the most popular New Zealand wine; some wine writers have even called it the best sauvignon blanc in the world. Being the most widely planted grape variety in New Zealand, sauvignon blanc comprises more than 70% of the country’s overall wine production and 86% of its export.

On the occasion of International Sauvignon Blanc Day, wineries, restaurants, wine bars, and wine shops in New Zealand and other countries organize wine tastings, wine and food pairing classes, and other events and activities to raise the profile of sauvignon blanc. If there are no such events near you, you can celebrate the holiday by going out to your favorite wine bar or restaurant, buying several bottles of sauvignon blanc produced in different countries to see for yourself how the climate can affect the wine’s flavor, gifting someone a bottle of sauvignon blanc, and posting about the holiday on social media with the hashtags #InternationalSauvignonBlancDay, #SauvignonBlancDay, #SauvBlancDay and #SauvBlanc.