It was a minor disagreement with Digiboy concerning the place of celebrity chefs on TV that inspired the subject of today's blog:Gordon Ramsey. Chef and lothario. While undisputedly talented, achieving sheer excellence in the kitchen, Gordon is known just as well all around the world for his brash opinions and fruity, nay tropical language. As far as personality goes, he's arguably the most distinctive celebrity chef about. Whether you love him for his classic, accomplished dishes or hate him for his controversial behaviour on The F Word, the man polarises opinions and everyone knows his name.
Gordon is the personification of the Sauvignon Blanc grape (shame Raymond Blanc didn't quite fit the bill!). In some areas, classic and understated. In others, loud and flamboyant. Both grape and chef are the marmite of their field: you either love them or hate them.
France's Loire Valley is Sauvignon's spiritual home - the villages of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé being the most famous. This is where austerity, elegance and classic style comes in. In one of its holiday homes in Marlborough, New Zealand however, it is equally happy; putting on a bit of weight, getting a bit lary and turning the stereo up to the max. Two very different styles that people can't get enough of - or can't get fast enough away from!
Regardless of where it comes from, Sauvignon is arguably the most recognisable white grape variety, with it grassy flavours and super-distincitive aroma that its fans describe as elderflower, its dissenters as cat's pee. It's always first to be picked out of a line up.
Compare a few to see what camp you're in. Here's the trusty Tasting Tour to help guide you...
Wine Language Tasting Tour:
Start with a Sauvignon from Sancerre in France, then move onto one from Friuli in Italy for more weight. Next, move to Casablanca in cooler climate Chile to add some fruit and body, then go in for a Marlborough Sauvignon from New Zealand for general flamboyance. If you're feeling brave after that, for something quite different, try an oaked Sauvignon (often called Fumé blanc) from California!
Cin Cin,
Winebird x
