Content
Sauvignon Blanc grapes are one of the oldest technical varieties used for the production of white wines. It is quite “capricious”, not very productive, and demanding both in terms of growing conditions and agricultural technology. Therefore, the variety is rarely found on the plots of amateur gardeners. However, on an industrial scale, having thoroughly studied its advantages and disadvantages, Sauvignon Blanc grapes are cultivated all over the world.
History of selection
Sauvignon Blanc is a grape belonging to the Western European ecological-geographical group (its homeland is the Loire River Valley in France). Its appearance is the result of a “spontaneous” crossing of the Chenin Blanc and Traminer varieties used in winemaking for about a thousand years.
The exact date of the “breeding” of the Sauvignon Blanc grape is unknown, but it has been mentioned in French and Swiss monastic chronicles since the end of the 17th century.Now in its homeland it is included in the Cepages Nobles category along with very few elite varieties.
Description of Sauvignon Blanc grape variety
The bunches of Sauvignon Blanc grapes don't look very presentable. But for the technical grade this is not required.
Bunches
The size of the brushes varies from small to medium (length 10-13 cm, width 6-10 cm, weight 70-125 g). The “leg” on which the comb of the hand rests is very short.
The clusters of Sauvignon Blanc grapes are cylindrical in shape, many with a “wing”, very dense
Berries
The berries are relatively small, spherical or slightly elongated, with a diameter of 1.4-1.7 cm. Due to the density of the clusters, many of them are “flattened”. Each berry has 2-3 seeds.
The skin is thick, pale green, covered with a continuous layer of whitish “waxy” coating. If the Sauvignon Blanc grape has enough light, as it ripens, it changes its hue to straw yellow, and a vague pale pink “tan” appears on the berries.
The entire surface of the Sauvignon Blanc grape is covered with small brownish dots
Vine
The bushes are medium-sized, not characterized by high growth rates. New growth is greenish-white, but as it matures it changes color to reddish-brown.
The shoots are densely leafy. The leaves are medium-sized, of a typical shape for the crop, strongly dissected. The variety is “identified” by a narrow pinkish border along the edge of the leaf blade and a “edge” on the front side, reminiscent of a cobweb.The leaves are hard to the touch, as if “lumpy.” The flowers are bisexual. The variety is characterized by a high percentage and reliability of self-pollination.
The Sauvignon Blanc grape vine ripens relatively well
Characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc grapes
Like any “purebred” ancient grape variety, Sauvignon Blanc is quite “capricious” and is not without significant drawbacks. However, this did not prevent its wide distribution, which indicates “plasticity”.
Ripening period
Sauvignon Blanc grapes are mid-season varieties. The bunches reach technological maturity in 130-135 days, counting from the moment when the leaf buds open. It is collected at the end of September or in the first ten days of October. At the same time, to obtain a harvest, a relatively small amount of active temperatures is needed - 26-27°C.
Productivity
Sauvignon Blanc grapes cannot be called high-yielding. In Europe, for technical varieties this indicator is measured in hectoliters of must per hectare; for a given variety it varies between 10-45 hcl/ha. Translated into figures more familiar to Russian winegrowers, the yield is 13-60 c/ha.
Small clusters and a relatively small percentage of fruit-bearing shoots on the bush (37-50%), with only one bunch on each of them, are “responsible” for the low rates. Only recently, thanks to the scientific achievements of agronomists in combination with competent pruning, has it been possible to increase the number of fruitful vines to 70-80%.
Sauvignon Blanc grape vines never suffer from “overload”
Taste of Sauvignon Blanc grapes
The pulp is very juicy (juice content is more than 77%), characterized by a pronounced nightshade aftertaste. Made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes in its homeland, a dry white wine that goes very well with seafood is easily “recognized” by professional sommeliers by its unique tart-sour taste and notes of red currant and gooseberry in the aroma.
Sugar content varies greatly (19-23 g per 100 ml of juice), directly depends on the local climate and the ripening time of the berries. The same applies to acidity (6.5-11 g/l).
Depending on the region of growth, the taste of wine may include shades of musk and green apples.
Growing regions
France ranks first in terms of area allocated for growing this variety. Also in Europe it is cultivated in:
- Germany;
- Austria;
- Switzerland;
- Italy;
- Spain;
- Serbia;
- Croatia;
- Slovenia;
- Czech Republic;
- Hungary;
- Romania;
- Bulgaria;
- Moldova.
At the end of the 19th century, the variety “moved” to the New World and adapted there very successfully. Its wines, produced in Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa, successfully compete with French ones.
Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown in the USA (California) and Australia, but the local climate is too hot for it. Berries accumulate a lot of sugar.To correct this deficiency, the juice is used in blends with other varieties (Riesling, Aligote).
Frost resistance
Frost resistance down to -20 °C allows the vines to winter without damage in their homeland - the climate in the Loire Valley and in the province of Bordeaux is quite mild and coastal. However, in temperate continental conditions, the main flower buds often die from frost. In this case, “replacements” are activated, but most of them are “sterile”, so the yield drops noticeably.
Drought resistance
Drought resistance is assessed as medium or low. The plant prefers a relatively cool climate and does not have a sufficiently developed root system to “draw up” deep groundwater.
Disease resistance
Resistance to all diseases typical of the culture is quite high, although it does not have “innate” immunity to pathogenic microflora. The only exception is the tendency to suffer from gray rot. Of the insects, the leaf roller is the most dangerous for him, but its attacks are also observed infrequently.
Keeping quality
Keeping quality is low, the berries are perishable. They begin to rot within a week after harvest. Ripe brushes should also not be left on the vines.
Processing of Sauvignon Blanc grapes begins almost immediately after harvest.
Advantages and disadvantages
The aging period does not particularly affect the quality of wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The drink “ripens” quickly.
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most cultivated white grape varieties in the world.
Pros:
- the ability to adapt to the climatic conditions of different continents;
- unique taste, ideal for the production of “recognizable” white wines;
- the ability to improve the overall quality of the blend when added to the mixture;
- relatively good immunity;
- sufficient cold resistance for cultivation regions;
- good ripening of vines;
- ability to self-pollinate.
Minuses:
- low shelf life and drought resistance;
- inability to be stored on the bush;
- low yield;
- small brush size;
- demanding conditions for cultivation and agricultural technology;
- tendency to become infected with gray mold.
Features of growing Sauvignon Blanc grapes
Sauvignon Blanc grapes thrive on light to medium, but fairly fertile soils. Humus-carbonate soil, leached chernozem, and forest gray soil are suitable for planting it. Ideally, the vines should be placed close to the top of a gentle hill, where they are guaranteed to receive enough light and the risk of waterlogging the substrate is minimized.
Sauvignon Blanc grapes are not heat-loving, but they cannot do without good lighting
When grown in an optimal climate, infrequent watering is practiced, taking into account the age of the vine, the estimated ripening time of the berries, the quality of the substrate and other factors. If the climate for the variety is too hot, switch to frequent watering (every two weeks).
Pruning is carried out in such a way as to provide the vine with a high load. 60-70 “eyes” are left on the entire bush, 8-12 (if there is a trunk) or 6-8 buds (if there is no trunk) on each fruit-bearing shoot.
Disease prevention is carried out with the utmost care. Particular attention is paid to the fight against gray mold. It is also important to prevent possible attacks by wasps.
Berries affected by gray rot are unsuitable either for food or for processing into wine.
If the climate in the region allows you to do without shelter for the winter, Sauvignon Blanc grape bushes are formed using the standard method. When its construction is required, the optimal configuration is a standard-free multi-arm fan.
Conclusion
The Sauvignon Blanc grape is a rather whimsical variety that requires specific care. However, its wide distribution across different countries and even continents indicates that it has a certain “plasticity”. The advantages and disadvantages of this technical variety have long been well known; it is actively cultivated on an industrial scale. There is simply no alternative to the Sauvignon Blanc grape in terms of its taste and suitability for the production of white wines.
Reviews of Sauvignon Blanc grapes
