Editing Sauvignon blanc (section)

===France===
[[File:Dageneau Pouilly Fume.JPG|left|thumb|A Pouilly Fumé from the Loire Valley]]

In [[France]], Sauvignon blanc is grown in the [[Climate categories in viticulture#Maritime climates|maritime climate]] of Bordeaux (especially in Entre-Deux-Mers, Graves and Pessac-Léognan as a dry wine, and in Sauternes as a sweet wine) as well as the [[Climate categories in viticulture#Continental climates|continental climate]] of the Loire Valley (as [[Pouilly Fumé]], [[Sancerre (wine)|Sancerre]], and Sauvignon de [[Touraine]]). The climates of these areas are particularly favorable in slowing the ripening on the vine, allowing the grape more time to develop a balance between its acidity and sugar levels. This balance is important in the development of the intensity of the wine's aromas. [[Winemakers]] in France pay careful attention to the ''[[terroir]]'' characteristics of the soil and the different elements that it can impart to the wine. The [[chalk]] and Kimmeridgean [[marl]] of Sancerre and Pouilly produces wines of richness and complexity while areas with more compact chalk soils produces wines with more finesse and perfume. The [[gravel]] soil found near the river [[Loire]] and its tributaries impart spicy, floral and mineral flavors while in Bordeaux, the wines have a fruitier personality. Vines planted in [[flint]] tend to produce the most vigorous and longest lasting wines.<ref name="Clarke p. 222"/>

Pouilly Fumé originate from the town of [[Pouilly-sur-Loire]], located directly across the Loire River from the commune of [[Sancerre]]. The soil here is very flinty with deposits of [[limestone]], which the locals believed imparted a smoky, gunflint flavor to the wine, and hence ''Fumé'', the French word for "smoky", was attached to the wine.<ref name="MacNeil p. 272">K. MacNeil. ''The Wine Bible'', p. 272, Workman Publishing 2001. {{ISBN|1-56305-434-5}}.</ref> Along with Sémillon, [[Muscadelle]] and [[Ugni blanc]], Sauvignon blanc is one of only four white grapes allowed in the production of white [[Bordeaux wine]]. Mostly used as a blending grape, Sauvignon blanc is the principal grape in [[Château Margaux]]'s ''Pavillon Blanc'',<ref name="MacNeil p. 122-123">K. MacNeil ''The Wine Bible'' p. 123 Workman Publishing 2001. {{ISBN|1-56305-434-5}}.</ref> In the northern [[Rhône (wine region)|Rhône]] Valley, Sauvignon Blanc is often blended with [[Tressallier]] to form a tart white wine.<ref name="Robinson p. 120">J. Robinson. ''Vines, Grapes & Wines'', p. 120, Mitchell Beazley 1986. {{ISBN|1-85732-999-6}}.</ref>

[[File:Rothschild white Bordeaux.jpg|right|thumb|A dry white Bordeaux made from a blend of Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon]]

In the Sauternes region, the grape is blended with Sémillon to make the [[late harvest wine]], ''Sauternes''. The composition of Sauvignon blanc varies from producer and can range from 5-50% with the ''[[First growth|Premier Cru Supérieur]]'' Château d'Yquem using 20%. A traditional practice often employed in Sauternes is to plant one Sauvignon Blanc vine at regular intervals among rows of [[Sémillon]]. However, Sauvignon blanc's propensity to ripen 1–2 weeks earlier can lead the grapes to lose some of their intensity and aroma as they hang longer on the vine. This has prompted more producers to isolate their parcels of Sauvignon blanc.<ref name="Robinson p. 124">J. Robinson ''Vines, Grapes & Wines'' p. 124 Mitchell Beazley 1986. {{ISBN|1-85732-999-6}}.</ref>

Near the edge of the [[Chablis]] commune is an AOC called [[Saint-Bris AOC|Saint-Bris]] that is gaining attention for its Sauvignon blanc production.<ref name="Kramer">M. Kramer. ''Saved by Sauvignon'', The Wine Spectator, p. 36, July 31, 2007.</ref>