Some say the name was changed from Sauvignon Blanc to Fume Blanc because Fume Blanc was an easier name to pronounce. Others say vintners simply used the name they thought customers would like best and therefore would be more likely to buy. Still others say it was a stroke of marketing genius. They are referring to Robert Mondavi, a winemaker, winery owner and a name now synonymous with fine wine from Napa Valley. In the late 1960s Robert Mondavi perceived Sauvignon Blanc to be a bland, uninspiring varietal so he oaked it, in other words, he created a Sauvignon Blanc style that was oak-aged giving it a soft smoke and flint taste. This oak-age is typically obtained by using “neutral” or older blanc oak barrels that are also referred to as white American oak barrels which have been used multiple times, so they do not impart intense flavors of vanilla or toast.
To set his oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc apart, Robert Mondavi essentially rebranded his Sauvignon Blanc by naming it Fume Blanc. He borrowed Fume from Pouilly-Fume, in reference to Pouilly Fume from the Loire Valley. Fume means smoke in French, and “Blanc,” is the French word for white. The term Fumé Blanc, coined by Mondavi, completely changed the perception of Sauvignon Blanc in America and signaled a new, more serious style of Sauvignon Blanc. For decades the term Fume Blanc has been used by wineries in California and Washington to market Sauvignon Blanc and differentiate a style of wine made with oak ageing.
Because Robert Mondavi did not trademark the term Fume Blanc, others could use it and use it they did. For example, the Dry Creek winery calls their Sauvignon Blanc Fume Blanc, yet they do not oak-age their Sauvignon Blanc. Today, Sauvignon Blanc and Fume Blanc are considered synonymous. In addition, today fewer Sauvignon Blancs are labeled Fume Blanc due to changes in the market and marketing.
So, is there a difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Fume Blanc? Both are made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, yet one answer is, it all comes down to the winemaker’s intention and style.
Sauvignon Blanc is used to produce some excellent white wines, ranging from the light and flinty wines of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume grown in the Loire Valley, to the pungent and grassy varietal wines of Australia and New Zealand, to the light smokey or tropical tastes from California.
Old World versus New World
In general, Sauvignon Blanc grown in Europe is referred to as Old World and Sauvignon Blanc grown in other countries such as the United States, New Zealand and Australia is referred to as New World.
Color – Old World Sauvignon Blanc has a pale yellow-green to straw yellow color while New World Sauvignon Blanc has a bit darker color.
Aroma – Old world Sauvignon Blanc has an aroma of subtle earthiness, mostly grassy herbaceous fruit of lime and tart apple. New world Sauvignon Blanc has a lush bold fruit character aroma of melon, pear and peach. Sometimes a whiff of the pungency of grapefruit or lime is detected.
Taste – Old World Sauvignon Blanc has a taste of tart, tangy, sour apple with a bit of subtle earthiness while New World Sauvignon Blanc (grown in a warmer climate) has a taste of richer, riper, peach and melon with a little streak of citrus pungency if grown in a slightly cooler climate.
Sauvignon Blanc FUN FACTS:
- The first Friday in May is International Sauvignon Blanc Day (so don’t forget to celebrate with a glass!).
- Sauvignon Blanc is one of Taylor Swift’s favorite wines. She enjoys it for its crispness.
- One of the oldest Sauvignon Blanc plantings in the U.S. is at the Robert Mondavi Winery in their To Kalon Vineyard.
- Sauvignon Blanc is one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon (the other is Cabernet Franc).
- When a recipe calls for dry white wine, a good quality Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice due to its vibrant acidity. Its fresh and light herbal flavor works best for a range of dishes.
- The name sauvignon comes from the French sauvage meaning wild which is how the vines will grow if unattended.
- Sauvignon Blanc is the grape that focused world attention on New Zealand which produces green but light tropical fruit flavors.
- Sauvignon Blanc originated in the Loire Valley in France. The name “sauvignon” is derived from two French words: sauvage (wild) and vigne (vine). In France, Sauvignon Blanc is a wild growing plant and the shape of its leaves are like those of wild grapevines.
There is no question that Robert Mondavi rooted Fume Blanc as a classic American white wine. With that in mind, don’t wait for International Sauvignon Blanc day in May, raise a glass now and celebrate not only a wondrous wine, but how with a vision, a winemaker changed the destiny of a grape varietal – wow if that doesn’t make you thirsty…
—Linda Flemins,
Wine Education Committee co-chair