Photo courtesy of Chef Jason Bangerter

Sauvignon Blanc also known as Fume Blanc has a long history in the United States (mainly California) but its largest acreage has been recorded as being in the former Soviet Union.  Today, it would seem that the most popular Sauvignon Blancs hail from either Australia or Washington State. 

Like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc has a very complex and distinctive flavor, most would describe the smell and taste of Sauvignon Blanc to be on the herbal side.  Peppery or green flavors like those found in your vegetable garden are what you will find in this wine.  Because of its greener flavor Sauvignon Blanc developed a reputation of being hard to pair with food but I find that not to be the case at all.  Because of its more "green" nature this wine is a perfect compliment to many vegetarian meals, light pasta dishes, and of course fish.  Its crisp flavor and refreshing acidity make it a perfect compliment for lighter meals without masking the flavor of the food.  Its clean, crisp flavor also works well with ethnic dishes just as some of the lighter Rieslings do.  As with our other wine pairings the key point to remember is that it's all about making the flavors compliment each other.  Here are a few examples of dishes that will pair well with Sauvignon Blanc:

• Steamed fish with garlic and herbs
• Bruschetta
• Pasta Primavera
• Thai Food
• Lighter Risottos

Up next I'll explore the wonderful world of Red Wine and its many facets.  Starting with Cabernet Sauvignon, we will also explore Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Syrah (Shiraz).

Don't forget, the more wines you taste and become familiar with the easier it will be to recognize those key flavors and match them up with your favorite foods.

About Chef Heather

Chef Heather (aka Foodie Princess) is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City (formerly Peter Kumps New York Cooking School). She has worked for Gourmet Magazine, TV Personality Katie Brown, and the New York based Indian-fusion restaurant Tabla. Chef Foodie Princess resides in New Jersey with her husband and daughter and is in the process of launching her own Personal Chef Service "The Princess & The Pea".