Origin: The world-renowned white wine variety probably originates from the Loire Valley in France.

Interbreeding: Sauvignon Blanc is a natural interbreeding of Traminer × Chenin Blanc.

Characteristics: The bud burst is somewhat delayed. The variety is susceptible to downy mildew and powdery mildew. The ripening time is medium to late and the yield is medium high. This can, however, be limited by couluring. The variety is very vigorous and needs a lot of foliage work.

Grape: The grapes are small, dense, cylindrical, shouldered with round to oval green-yellow berries. The berries have an aromatic, herbaceous-grassy flavour.

Wine: This grape variety, which is widespread all over the world, is distinguished by its characteristic bouquet. In wines made from grapes that are not fully ripe, this bouquet can be obtrusively unripe and grassy. In contrast, ripe grapes develop a wide range of aromas reminiscent of blackcurrants, gooseberries and tropical fruits. Depending on their ripeness stage, the wines can range from subtle to extremely complex. In combination with ripening in barriques and biological acid reduction, they show considerable development potential.

Cultivation: Sauvignon Blanc requires good vineyard sites to fully ripen. The variety prefers lean, dry soils. The strong vigour can be adapted with the right choice of rootstock.

Clones

• The clones Lb 36 and Lb 50 do not differ much from each other. The grapes of the South Tyrolean clones are small to medium sized and less compact. The ripening time is about 1 week to 10 days later than with the French standard clones and the yields are constant. They are less susceptible to botrytis or sour rot and less susceptible to couluring. They produce high sugar and acid levels, resulting in a full-bodied wine with complex flavours. The Lb 36 clone is said to be somewhat more yield-stable due to its 20 to 25 percent higher grape weight and is also lightly shouldered. 
  
  
• The French standard clone ENTAV 242 has a medium must weight and acidity with medium yields.
  
  
• The French quality clone ENTAV 530 has low to medium yields with high must weights and medium acidity levels.