Our 5 Favorite Sauvignon Blanc Pairings

Crisp. Herbaceous. Refreshing.

Sauvignon Blanc isn’t simply one of the most unique white varietals — it’s also one of the most versatile. With a vast spectrum of flavor profiles ranging from extra dry to subtly sweet, it can be challenging to pick out the perfect food pairing for the glass of Sauv Blanc sitting in front of you.

Fortunately, dozens upon dozens of delicious dishes complement this classic varietal’s unique character and bouquet — all it takes is a little knowledge, know-how, and experimentation.

Let’s dive into the one-of-a-kind aroma profile of this revered dry white wine and which you should pick out for your next glass of crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc.

How Does Sauvignon Blanc Taste?

To find the perfect pairings for this classic white varietal, first, we have to understand a bit about what makes it so enticing.

Sauvignon Blanc is a bright and acidic popular white wine with vibrant fruit notes from tart green apple to white peach and passionfruit. 

Most Sauvignon Blancs have a medium body and deliver soft undertones of herbs due to a powerful concentration of pyrazines. These compounds transport enthusiasts back to their home garden, delivering subtle, grassy notes of bell pepper, zucchini, or even jalapeño.

This unique combination of a juicy, punchy fruit-forward flavor profile along with grassy and herbaceous notes separates Sauvignon Blanc from many other white wines on the market.

Is Sauvignon Blanc Dry? Or Is Sauvignon Blanc Sweet?

While there is some variation between every Sauvignon Blanc, most are fermented in the dry style, giving each glass little to no residual sugar and refreshing acidity. 

Although, some Sauv Blancs can taste sweeter than others if the grapes originate from a cooler climate or are harvested late in the year. In general, the longer the grapes are on the vine (as is likely in cooler temperatures), the sweeter the juice.

Indeed, Sauvignon Blanc is known amongst wine enthusiasts for being particularly expressive of its originating landscape. For this reason, no two Sauvs taste quite alike.

The arid climate of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc might taste practically unrecognizable when compared to a Chilean or Californian Sauvignon Blanc. 

Fortunately, there is a secret to identifying your favorite varietal — it is to take a sip of every last one.

Alright, now that we’ve covered Sauvignon Blanc’s flavor profile, let’s dive into some general guidelines you can use when creating your own Sauv Blanc pairings.

The Best Sauvignon Blanc Pairings

The bold flavors of Sauvignon Blanc love to be matched with similarly bold-tasting dishes. Think spicy white meat and noodle dishes, acidic vinaigrette, and crispy spring veggies.

While there are no hard-and-fast rules in finding a suitable pair for your Sauv, you should generally steer away from very meaty, creamy dishes. Those fatty, flavor-rich sauces can mute the subtle, herbaceous qualities that represent the best of Sauvignon Blanc. 

Now that we’ve covered the basics of Sauvignon Blanc pairing, let’s dive into a bit more detail on 5 of our favorite dishes to match with this classic glass of white. 

Spring Vegetables

Those herbaceous pyrazines that imbue Sauvignon Blanc with signature character also make each glass an exceptional pair for veggie-based dishes. Pull out those recipes that lean heavily on asparagus and peas or those crowd-pleasing artichoke, dill, or hummus dips. 

In general, seek out extra crispy and hearty vegetable dishes as these will best amplify the natural acidity of the best glasses of Sauv Blanc.

Shellfish

There’s much more to pairing shellfish than the simple shrimp cocktail. These little bites of the sea also make a wonderful pair to a glass of bright and citrus-leaning Sauvignon Blanc. 

If you have a particularly earthy or mineral-heavy glass of Sauv Blanc, order up a plate of creamy crab legs, oysters, or really any flaky and soft shellfish.

The vibrant acidity and fruit-forward notes of Sauvignon Blanc strike a marvelous contrast to the sea-salt fatty character of fresh-caught shellfish, accentuating and building on the strengths of each dish.

Cheese

It’s one of the most revered and respected Sauvignon Blanc food pairings and for good reason. 

The bright, grassy notes of a sweet and subtle Sauv Blanc are the perfect match for milky, creamy cheeses like Fontina and Brie or semi-hard and protein-rich cheeses like Swiss and Gruyére.

Indeed, while sparkling wines are often viewed as the go-to for matching up to a bold blue, an extra-dry and crisp Sauvignon Blanc can also work wonders in balancing out the most pungent and pleasing blue cheese flavor profiles. 

Thai Food 

Let’s add a bit of spice to this list, and no spicy cuisine is quite as pleasing a pair for Sauv as Thai food. 

While sweeter peanut-based Thai dishes might be your usual go-to, try a bite of green or red Thai curry along with your glass of crisp white wine. Those creamy curries and salty spices bring out the best of the grassy pyrazines within Sauvignon Blanc, especially when combined with a splash of lime or an extra sprinkling of chili powder.

Fruit Tarts and Salads

Once you’ve finished off your veggie platters, charcuterie boards, and Thai curry, it’s time to finish off the night (and your glass) with a delicious dessert.

While Sauvignon Blanc likely isn’t the best for rich and robust desserts like a slice of moist chocolate cake, it does strike the perfect partner for a raspberry tart or tangy fruit salad. 

The lighter the dessert the better — crisp whites complement the subtle sweetness of extra-flaky, delightfully fruity pastries.

Elevate Your Sauv With The Wine Connoisseur

With its signature dry, crisp mouth and sweet notes of your favorite grasses and herbs, Sauvignon Blanc is absolutely one of the most unique white wines you can find. 

While each glass is amazing as a solo-sipper, you’ll find that this white really comes alive when served alongside light and crispy veggies, spicy Thai curry, or a delicate fruit tart.

Of course, if you’re not serving your Sauv at its optimal sipping temperature, you’re not making the most of every glass.

Stop sipping on sub-par wine. Elevate your Sauvignon Blanc with the Wine Connoisseur.

This personal sommelier perfectly calibrates each and every glass to its optimal serving temperature and aeration levels, bringing out those subtle aromas and delicious compounds that make up your favorite varietal.

Seek out your own personal sommelier and browse through our top-of-the-line collection of 150mL wine sachets, including our bright and crisp Mother of Pearl Sauvignon Blanc and our For Goodness Sake, Drink Some Wine collection of buttery Chardonnays.

While you’re waiting for your order to arrive, feel free to read through our blog to learn more about classic white wine varietals and how to properly sniff each glass of mouthwatering vino.