Blois 4 Concours Mondial Sauvignon 2013@its birthplace

Equine view from Hotel Mercure, Blois

After an early start in London, arrived in Blois a short time ago for the Concours Mondial Sauvignon 2013. Delighted to see that after the first three editions of this Concours were held in Bordeaux, that the 4th is being held in the Loire. After all according to the latest reserach the Loire is the presumed birthplace of Sauvignon Blanc – not Bordeaux as it has long been assumed to be the case. 

According to the recently published Wine Grapes Sauvignon Blanc probably orginated in the Loire. It is an offspring of Savagnin, a variety best known in the Jura and certainly one from the east of France not the west – ruling out Bordeaux. 

The first mention of Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire is in 1534 in Rabelais' Garangtua (Chapter 25) under its synonym Fiers. The first mention of the variety as Sauvignon Blanc in the central vineyards of Sancerre and Pouilly is in 1783-4.

Sauvignon Blanc is apparently a sibling of Chenin Blanc. When Sauvignon eventually arrived in Bordeaux, it had a fling with Cabernet Franc to produce Cabernet Sauvignon. It is not clear while they waited so long the tryst could have been in Saumur or even Touraine but it would have had to be before before the recent reform of this appellation!