Definition: Sauvignon Blanc

These strongly odorous molecules have been linked to volatile thiols (compounds containing a sulfanyl group). These aromas, present in trace amounts in the must, appear in wines during alcoholic fermentation. Under the action of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), volatile thiols are released from non-volatile precursors in grapes, whose structures have been identified as S-conjugates of cysteine.
A 1997 study revealed the direct relationship between Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon.

In France, Sauvignon is grown on approximately 14,000 hectares, including 6,000 in the south-west (particularly Bordeaux) and the same amount in the Loire Valley. This area is currently expanding. In the Loire Valley, it produces very fragrant dry white wines (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé). In the Sauternes region, when blended with Sémillon and Muscadelle, Sauvignon produces sweet white wines.
The grape variety is classified as authorised in the Bergerac, Saint-Bris (in Burgundy), Barsac, Côtes-de-Blaye, Premières côtes de Blaye, Bordeaux-Côtes-de-Francs, Bordeaux sec, Cadillac, Cérons, Côtes-de-Bourg, Crémant de Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers, Graves, Graves-de-Vayres, Loupiac, Pessac-Léognan, Premières côtes de Bordeaux, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux and Sauternes.
In the Val-de-Loire vineyards, Sauvignon is part of the grape varieties used in the Anjou, Cheverny, Coteaux-du-Giennois, Fiefs-Vendéens, Haut-Poitou, Menetou-Salon, Pouilly-Fumé, Quincy, Reuilly, Saint-Pourçain, Sancerre, Saumur, Touraine, Touraine-Mesland and Valençay.
In Provence, Sauvignon is authorised in the wines of Bandol, Cassis and Coteaux d'Aix en Provence.
In the South-West, Sauvignon is part of the grape varieties used in the Bergerac, Côtes de Duras, Côtes-du-Marmandais, Gaillac, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, Monbazillac, Montravel, Côtes de Gascogne and Saussignac appellations.
Italy:
It is classified as recommended in 32 provinces of Italy and authorised in 26 provinces. In 1990, it covered 2,947 hectares.
In Italy, it is classified as a supplementary grape variety in the DOCs of Alghero, Bagnoli di Sopra, Bianco di Scandiano, Bolgheri, Carso, Castel del Monte, Colli Berici, Colli Bolognesi, Colli del Trasimeno, Colli dell'Etruria Centrale, Colli di Conegliano, Colli di Faenza, Colli di Parma, Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Colli Piacentini, Colline Lucchesi, Collio Goriziano, Contea di Sclafani, Contessa Entellina, Delia Nivolelli, Friuli Annia, Friuli Aquileia, Friuli Grave, Friuli Isonzo, Friuli Latisana, Garda, Garda Colli Mantovani, Lison Pramaggiore, Vini del Molise, Oltrepó Pavese, Sant'Antimo, Terlano and Trentino.