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Piercingly aromatic and extremely refreshing. In its original home near the Loire river in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume its nose and flavours are variously white flowers or struck flint stones and the wines can age beautifully. In the New World its nose and flavours are variously green capsicums, cut grass or gooseberries and the wines are best drunk young. It is best grown in cool climates because heat can make it go a bit flabby. In South Africa where one can get both types of climate (Stellenbosch for warm climate and Elgin for cool climate) the differences are obvious and marked.

Mostly oak is not used but there are exceptions in both Sancerre and the New World. Bordeaux Blanc has traditionally been made by blending in a reasonable proportion of Semillon to make a wine that we really like. Also in Bordeaux, the sweet wine Sauternes also contains differing proportions of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.