Origins and history: – comes from the north-west part of France and makes many of the famous white wines of the Loire Valley and, to a lesser extent, those of Bordeaux as well – probably its original home. Likes a cooler climate and needs careful handling as rather prone to oxidising (going brown like a sliced apple). Has had huge success in New Zealand and is becoming equally famous here in SA as well.
Characteristics: – distinctive grassy aromas and flavours, sometimes searing acidity. Fruit can range from green citrus and gooseberry to tropical guavas and litchis. Best examples are zingy and fresh with steely or nervy quality. Mostly unwooded (if it is wooded, it is called Blanc Fumé) and often blended with Semillon (rest of the world) or Chenin Blanc (South Africa).
Famous Wines: – Cloudy Bay (New Zealand), Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon (France)
Good Local Examples: – Steenberg, Diemersdal, Springfield, Cape Point, Iona
If it was a person: – Glenn Close