The name of the variety comes from the sauvage character it displays in the vineyard, and to some extent in the cellar. Sauvage in French means cruel. Sauvignon is wild in the vineyard, winegrowers know, and a lot of skill is needed for the grapes to reach the quality that winemakers want, and the variety can undoubtedly deliver.
Three styles
It is not easy with it in the cellar either, but the pain and effort are forgotten when it reaches the glass. It is grown in almost all wine-growing regions of the planet in three quite different styles.
In the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé regions along the French Loire River, it is known for its delicate aroma, elegant and mineral taste, and unique balance of flint character and citrus fruitiness, mixed with that of green apple.
New World
New Zealand Sauvignons have more pronounced aromas and flavors of tropical fruit accompanied by herbal notes, while those from California's Napa Valley are richer, also tropical in character, but often with a pronounced influence of new barrels.
In Croatia, Sauvignon is available in all four regions. Ivan Enjingi, of course, has unique wines from the wild variety in Slavonia and the Danube region. In some vintages, it can reach more than 17 percent alcohol, and it is very drinkable.
Wolf's Valley (Vučja Draga)
The most calm, but also the most luxurious wines from this variety are from Plešivica. Sauvignon Kamenice from the Korak winery is probably the best east of the French Loire Valley. From Vučja draga, meaning Wolf's Valley, above Imotski comes the excellent Dalmatian Sauvignon Riserva from the Grabovac family.
