Red Sauvignon Blanc is a red wine made from a grape used for traditional white wine. Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular grapes globally, but it also produces extremely versatile wines that can be enjoyed across several different occasions.
There are red Sauvignon Blanc wines, but they are not as common as the white varietal. Red Sauvignon Blanc wines typically have fruity flavors that range from strawberry to black cherry.
What Does Red Sauvignon Blanc Taste Like?
Red Sauvignon Blanc is a medium-bodied wine with a dry, fruity taste with hints of pepper and spice.
The wine has a crisp acidity that pairs well with light meats and seafood and lighter portions of pasta. It’s a versatile varietal that pairs well with several different dishes.
By comparison, white Sauvignon Blanc wines typically have light, crisp flavors. They are often described as grassy or herbaceous, with a slight pear aroma. Red Sauvignon Blanc wines are darker in color and have more complex flavors. They are sweeter than white wine, but they also have higher alcohol content because of the maceration process.
Best Red Sauvignon Blanc Examples
The best way to find your favorite is to try a few bottles and see which suits your taste buds the best. The following are some of the best red Sauvignon Blanc examples.
Château de Camarsac Bordeaux Supérieur – This red Sauvignon Blanc from the Graves region is a blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Sémillon. It’s a dry white wine with aromas of fresh green apples and limes, followed by notes of tropical fruits and ripe melons. The palate has pineapple, mango, lime zest, and a hint of grapefruit rind. This refreshing white wine pairs well with seafood dishes or even sushi!
Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc – This red Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough in New Zealand offers light aromas of stone fruit with hints of honeydew melon. The palate presents guava, peach, lemongrass, and delicate spice flavors. The wine finishes crisp with an apple-like freshness. It pairs well with grilled fish like salmon or tuna or even vegetarian dishes like salads or pasta.
What Food Pairs with Red Sauvignon Blanc?
It’s always a good idea to have a variety of wines on hand, and if you’re planning on trying a red Sauvignon Blanc, then the following combinations should be your go-to for this summer.
The first pairing that comes to mind is fried chicken with red Sauvignon Blanc. This dish is perfect for those who want something light and refreshing to drink without sacrificing flavor. The natural acidity found in this varietal will also work well with fried poultry.
If you’re looking for a strong dish to pair with your red Sauvignon Blanc, then we recommend trying it with salmon dishes. These fatty fish are perfect for pairing because their rich flavor will help cut through the grape’s acidity and provide a more balanced taste profile.
Other popular foods and wine matches include:
Seafood – This wine is assorted enough in flavor that it functions admirably for fish. This is one of the best choices you can have with your drink. Grilled salmon will taste incredible with red Sauvignon Blanc.
Shellfish – The light taste of this wine is a perfect match for shellfish. Prawns or Shrimp skewers are a great summer dish to enjoy with red Sauvignon Blanc.
Seafood is a natural pairing, as is chicken or turkey. Pork and lamb are also good pairings, as are dishes with cheese or butter. The light, refreshing flavors of Sauvignon Blanc also make it a good choice for a summertime barbecue.
Pasta – Red Sauvignon Blanc is fantastic with a pasta dish. The wine tastes great with mushroom risotto or creamy alfredo.
Pesto pasta, normal pasta with greens, fresh tomatoes, lemon, and olive oil, or ravioli with tomato sauce can taste fantastic with a glass of red wine.
Poultry – Poultry like chicken, turkey, and duck are a fantastic pairing for this red wine. The fat on white meat tastes great with red Sauvignon Blanc. Consider a rich duck recipe for a dinner party.
Avoid paring this wine with spicy foods. Instead of complimenting your dinner, this wine may interfere with the natural flavors of your food.
Is Red Sauvignon Blanc Sweet or Dry?
Red Sauvignon Blanc is often dry, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a sweeter version. While most are dry, this varietal has some sweetness when produced in the right conditions. This is because it has more sugar than other wine grapes.
How is Red Sauvignon Blanc Made?
The only way to have a white grape produce red wine is to mix the grapes with red grape juice or other red grapes.
In every case, winemakers will mix red grape varieties such as Merlot or Sémillon with their Sauvignon Blanc grapes to produce a red Sauvignon Blanc.
The grapes are mixed before fermentation begins. From here a traditional wine-making process takes place as the wine is left in barrels for an extended period of time.
Conclusion
Red Sauvignon Blancs are perfect for summer drinking. They’re usually dry, but not always; they’re fruity but not too sweet. It’s crisp, light, and pairs well with a variety of food. And they pair well with food. So drink up with any one of these delicious red Sauvignon Blancs!