Why I Hate Sauvignon Blanc (and one I don't)
From my blog at Huff Po:
Why I Hate Sauvignon Blanc (and one I don’t)
Santa Rita Floresta Leyda Sauvignon Blanc, Chile, $22
Twenty two bucks is a lot to spend for a Chilean white wine, especially if it’s
Sauvignon Blanc—a wine best known for tasting like cat pee. In fact, the French, who produce some of the worlds’ most famous Sauv Blanc, in their ever-charming way, highly praise the aroma of “pipi du chat.”
Perhaps the worst offender is New Zealand, which, despite producing the pissiest tasting Sauvignon Blanc on the planet, has somehow convinced millions of wine drinkers that what they are really tasting is gooseberries. What in hell is a gooseberry? It’s a small sour tasting fruit that doesn’t actually taste very good. However, at least it sounds better than cat urine.
As a wine critic, I get wine sent to me to taste and write about. A few years ago, an importer sent me a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with the memorable name of “Cat’s Phee on a Gooseberry Bush.” (The Federal bureaucrats devoted to preserving the sanctity of wine labels in the U.S. wouldn’t allow the word “pee.”) At least give the Kiwis points for honesty. And, truth be told, I couldn’t bring myself to open it, given my experiences with Kiwi Sauv Blanc.
However, if you want a marvelous bottle of Sauvignon Blanc that will not remind you of an incontinent feline, look for Santa Rita Sauv Blanc. It has marvelous aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, melon and a bit of cut grass, but not a hint of litter box. I guess the Chileans don’t like cat pee either.
Why I Hate Sauvignon Blanc (and one I don’t)
Santa Rita Floresta Leyda Sauvignon Blanc, Chile, $22
Twenty two bucks is a lot to spend for a Chilean white wine, especially if it’s
Sauvignon Blanc—a wine best known for tasting like cat pee. In fact, the French, who produce some of the worlds’ most famous Sauv Blanc, in their ever-charming way, highly praise the aroma of “pipi du chat.”
Perhaps the worst offender is New Zealand, which, despite producing the pissiest tasting Sauvignon Blanc on the planet, has somehow convinced millions of wine drinkers that what they are really tasting is gooseberries. What in hell is a gooseberry? It’s a small sour tasting fruit that doesn’t actually taste very good. However, at least it sounds better than cat urine.
As a wine critic, I get wine sent to me to taste and write about. A few years ago, an importer sent me a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with the memorable name of “Cat’s Phee on a Gooseberry Bush.” (The Federal bureaucrats devoted to preserving the sanctity of wine labels in the U.S. wouldn’t allow the word “pee.”) At least give the Kiwis points for honesty. And, truth be told, I couldn’t bring myself to open it, given my experiences with Kiwi Sauv Blanc.
However, if you want a marvelous bottle of Sauvignon Blanc that will not remind you of an incontinent feline, look for Santa Rita Sauv Blanc. It has marvelous aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, melon and a bit of cut grass, but not a hint of litter box. I guess the Chileans don’t like cat pee either.
Tags: Chile, Rita, Santa, Sauvignon, blanc, cat, pee
Views: 116
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jack & Karen Erhart on -
I find the sharpness of the aroma of Sauv Blanc being like onto cat piss, but not being cat piss is what is conveyed here.
I for one have never tasted cat piss, and I would assume neither have any of the others that use that reference, so I believe it's not a taste profile that is being related to when using that comment but one of aroma.
In the same light, that I hate the smell of someone smoking, but I recognize the smokiness and tobacco nuances in a lot of wines, and coffee.
Great article, thanks for sharing it.....Hum, Sauv Blanc, one of my favorites......I like cats also! LOL!
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Permalink Reply by Marlene on -
Thanks Eharts!
I haven't tasted cat piss but I have smelled it and yup, it sure has a similar aroma to NZ Sauv Blanc!
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Permalink Reply by Jack & Karen Erhart on
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Me and my wife were talking about this yesterday when I made the above post, and I believe we had put our finger on the real difference here.
There are things that are talked about and excepted within the wine industry, and for the most part in the coffee industry, which matches up very close to how things are done in both.
Trying to make the connection of what you are experiencing in aroma, taste, and mouth feel and connecting that to your brain and then being able to articulate what that is that your experiencing takes a lot of time and experience to do.
One has a tendency to grab for as much reality, be it good or bad in trying to do this. Most in our industries do this, and can talk about this with people within the industry. It doesn't always translate well to the consumer, being that they are not obligated to evaluate wine or coffee in the same manner. Even though doing so would elevate their enjoyment.
So saying the aroma of Sauv Blanc being like cat piss is an industry reality which tells most that there are going to be some good things on the taste buds.
The consumer would few that aroma description as something negative if they didn't understand the above mentioned.
I have had people tell me that my fresh roasted Tanzania Peaberry smells like skunk piss! So do you think I should be putting that on the label? No on your life!! LOL!
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Permalink Reply by Larry Chandler on -
I suppose one can also dislike Riesling because it has what some call "petrol" aromas. This means gasoline to us Americans. Now while I don't think I would care to drink Chevron, it does add something exquisite to an older Riesling.
So "cat pee" doesn't sound appealing (and it's really more predominant in cold climate Sauvignon Blanc), the grape itself makes some delightful wines.
And what about "cigar box" and "pencil shavings" in Cabernet Sauvignon? It's what's for dinner.
Wine Critics! Who needs 'em?
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Permalink Reply by Marlene on
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"Wine Critics! Who needs 'em?" You do!
Go get yourself a glass of very barnyardy Bourgogne. Salud! Cheers! L'Chaim!
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Permalink Reply by Randy Caparoso on -
Who does like cat pee, Marlene?
Ah, but you need a cure to your well founded prejudice, and I'd suggest three consecutive days of fresh shellfish appetizers with these incredible expressions of the SB grape, all (coincidentally) made by deftly talented women:
1. Tres Sabores (Julie Johnson's from Napa Valley... absolutely luscious)
2. Crocker & Starr (Pam Starr's rivals Julie's in purity and freshness)
3. Fiddlehead "Hunnysuckle" (by Kathy Joseph; a touch more French oak, but the name describes it well)
And aside from some classic Pouilly-Fumes and Sancerres, those my cure your ills...
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Permalink Reply by Marlene on
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Randy, I know all about the SBs you listed and think they are all great! I also like Touraine, which you should try. Cali and Chile make rocking SB...it's New Zealand that I can't drink. More to the point--I am probably a hypertaster and I can't drink ANY wines from Australia. I taste the terroir --mostly eucalyptus and mint in EVERY bottle.
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Permalink Reply by Randy Caparoso on
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Glad to know that not all SBs are hopeless for you, Marlene. My faith in humankind restored. Personally, I'm a sucker for "little" ones like Quincy and Cheverny (although they veer into herbal territories), and a good Menetou-Salon always makes me sigh. Ah, the days and nights I've spent popping oysters, and sipping on SBs, in Oysters or Quiet Women in Corona del Mar, or King's in Laguna Hills...
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Permalink Reply by Jack & Karen Erhart on
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I'm with you Randy,
Try the Fish House in Pacific Grove. Green neck mussels, and a bottle of snappy New Zealand SB....Man I'm out of here, see you there!
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Permalink Reply by Randy Caparoso on
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Alas, I no longer live in OC; but believe it or not, there are some decent oyster joints here in Denver... but if you invite Marlene to the Fish House, do *not* order a Kiwi-made SB!
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Permalink Reply by Abdi Humphries on -
Crocker & Starr is a good call, Randy. Nicely paired with oysters and mignonette at Pearls in downtown Napa. Magito is another crisp and clean SB as of late.
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Permalink Reply by Randy Caparoso on
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Pearls? I'll be there, then! Magito... where from?
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