Sauvignon Blanc Quiz
Two rounds, instant scoring, no sign-up. See how well you really know the world's most refreshing white, then keep a tasting journal to remember what you learn.
What this quiz covers
12 questions across two rounds: 6 beginner and 6 advanced. Here's what you'll be asked:
- Is Sauvignon Blanc usually dry or sweet?
- Sauvignon Blanc is a…
- Which country made the tropical, passionfruit style world-famous?
- Which classic French appellation is Sauvignon Blanc?
- Sauvignon Blanc typically has…
- A classic pairing for Sauvignon Blanc is…
- 'Fumé Blanc' is a marketing name popularized by Robert Mondavi for…
- Sauvignon Blanc is a natural parent (with Cabernet Franc) of which red grape?
- The green, bell-pepper and grassy aromas come mainly from which compounds?
- In white Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is most often blended with…
- Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé both sit in which French region?
- The tropical passionfruit notes in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc come largely from…
Study notes: answers & key facts (open to reveal)
- Is Sauvignon Blanc usually dry or sweet? Bone dry to dry. The vast majority of Sauvignon Blanc is fermented fully dry. Off-dry or dessert versions exist but are rare.
- Sauvignon Blanc is a… White grape. It's a green-skinned white grape, almost always made into crisp white wine.
- Which country made the tropical, passionfruit style world-famous? New Zealand. Marlborough, New Zealand defined the bold, gooseberry-and-passionfruit modern style.
- Which classic French appellation is Sauvignon Blanc? Sancerre. Sancerre, in the Loire Valley, is a classic appellation for 100% Sauvignon Blanc whites. (Chablis is Chardonnay; Chianti is a red.)
- Sauvignon Blanc typically has… High acidity. High, refreshing acidity is its signature, it's what makes the wine feel zippy and food-friendly.
- A classic pairing for Sauvignon Blanc is… Goat cheese. Its acidity and herbal notes are a textbook match for tangy goat cheese and green salads.
- 'Fumé Blanc' is a marketing name popularized by Robert Mondavi for… Sauvignon Blanc, often oak-influenced in California. Mondavi coined 'Fumé Blanc' in the 1960s for barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc; it's the same grape.
- Sauvignon Blanc is a natural parent (with Cabernet Franc) of which red grape? Cabernet Sauvignon. A spontaneous Loire/Bordeaux cross of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc produced Cabernet Sauvignon.
- The green, bell-pepper and grassy aromas come mainly from which compounds? Methoxypyrazines. Methoxypyrazines drive the herbaceous, capsicum notes, more pronounced in cooler climates and less-ripe fruit.
- In white Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is most often blended with… Sémillon. Sémillon adds body, texture and a waxy roundness that balances Sauvignon Blanc's zip.
- Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé both sit in which French region? Loire Valley. Both are Loire Valley appellations, facing each other across the river near the town of Sancerre.
- The tropical passionfruit notes in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc come largely from… Volatile thiols. Thiols such as 3-mercaptohexanol (3-MH) give the passionfruit and guava character prized in Marlborough.
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