Sauvignon Blanc wines are generally very appreciated. Make sure to store, serve, pair, and drink a Sauvignon Blanc wine the right way.

how to serve and drink sauvignon blanc

What Sauvignon Blanc etiquette is

Sauvignon Blanc etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and drink Sauvignon Blanc. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow Sauvignon Blanc etiquette to appropriately serve it to your guests.

If you are a guest, respect Sauvignon Blanc etiquette rules to properly drink and enjoy it.

What you should know about Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is a variety of grapes with green skin used to make white wine. Sauvignon Blanc can be the sole grape used in the production of a specific wine, or it can be blended with other grapes.

Several countries grow Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Most notably France, Italy, Chile, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. 

The characteristics of wines produced with Sauvignon Blanc grapes vary significantly, based on multiple factors such as the region and the production method. In general, Sauvignon Blanc wines are dry and crisp. Wines made with Sauvignon Blanc usually do not age well. They are best consumed young.

Etiquette rules for serving and drinking Sauvignon Blanc

1) How to store Sauvignon Blanc

Store Sauvignon Blanc in a cool place. Keep the bottle away from direct light and far from any source of heat.

Place the bottle in a horizontal position, to keep the cork moist. Dry corks might let the oxygen in and spoil the wine.

Do not store Sauvignon Blanc in the fridge or in the freezer.

2) How to prepare Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc wines are usually young, thus they do not need decanting.  

To prepare Sauvignon Blanc for serving, it is sufficient to chill it to bring the wine to its optimal temperature.

Depending on the type of Sauvignon Blanc, you should place the bottle in the fridge or in a bucket of ice and water between 2 and 6 hours before serving.

3) How to serve & present Sauvignon Blanc

Serve Sauvignon Blanc chilled or cold. The recommended serving temperature varies based on each Sauvignon Blanc wine and its qualities. In general, you should serve it between 7°C and 10°C (44°F and 50°F). Warmer serving temperatures risk making the flavor unpleasant.

Take the bottle out of the fridge 5 or 10 minutes before opening it. After opening the bottle, it is best to keep it in an ice bucket. 

Present Sauvignon Blanc in its bottle. It is good etiquette to open the bottle at the dining table.

Serve Sauvignon Blanc wine in white wine glasses, which are slightly taller and thinner compared to red wine glasses. Hold the bottle by its body, never by its neck or cork. Fill the glass between ⅓ and ½.

4) When to serve & drink Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc wines tend to be young, light, and best-served cold.

Thus, Sauvignon Blanc is often not optimal for formal occasions, such as a formal dinner party.

Instead, Sauvignon Blanc is a much better option for informal gatherings. Light lunch or brunch. Picnic or barbecue. Aperitivo or pre-meal drinks.

You can serve Sauvignon Blanc during a meal, to accompany a light and delicate course. Sauvignon Blanc can match well with a cheese platter.

5) Food & aromas to pair Sauvignon Blanc with

Pair Sauvignon Blanc with white meat, such as chicken or turkey. With seafood, such as crab, lobster, or oysters. With fish, such as sushi, cod, sea bass, or fresh salmon.

Sauvignon Blanc can accompany well soft and flavorful cheese. Goat cheese. Feta. Mozzarella di Bufala.

6) Etiquette for drinking Sauvignon Blanc

Drink Sauvignon Blanc in white wine glasses. Hold the glass by its stem to avoid warming the wine with your hand.

Drink it in small sips. A glass of Sauvignon Blanc should last between 10 and 20 minutes. Never drink shots of Sauvignon Blanc.

It can be acceptable to add ice to low-quality, very young Sauvignon Blanc. However, do not add ice to higher-quality Sauvignon Blanc.

Sauvignon Blanc etiquette: the worst mistakes

Avoid the worst Sauvignon Blanc etiquette mistakes. 

  • 10/10. Getting drunk.
  • 8/10. Drinking shots of Sauvignon Blanc.
  • 8/10. Serving Sauvignon Blanc warm.
  • 7/10. Not holding the glass by the stem. 
  • 5/10. Overfilling the glass.

Additional information for properly serving Sauvignon Blanc

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.

On average, Sauvignon Blanc wines contain about 80 calories per 100 ml (3.5 oz). A glass of Sauvignon Blanc is typically 150 ml (5 oz) and has 122 calories.

How to buy the best

A crucial factor in Sauvignon Blanc etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.

Availability

Sauvignon Blanc is available all year round.

Choose the best

Sauvignon Blanc wines usually do not age well. Thus, prefer young wines, aged for about 2 or 3 years.

Then, the safest choice is to buy Sauvignon Blanc from an established wine region. Such as areas of France, Italy, Chile, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Alternatives to Sauvignon Blanc

You can substitute Sauvignon Blanc with a comparable light and young Chardonnay wine.

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