Fumé Blanc is a term used in California to refer to a dry style of wine made with Sauvignon Blanc grapes. It was first used by Robert Mondavi Winery in 1968 in an effort to differentiate this style from the sweet, low-quality bottlings typical of those years. His style was inspired by the wines of Pouilly-Fumé in the Loire Valley, France, where Sauvignon Blanc shines bright with herbal and fragrant notes and a hint of minerality. While experimenting with the first vintages, Mondavi fermented the wine in stainless steel before ageing it in French barrels, imparting heavy oak flavors. He later decided to ferment it in used oak barrels, adding neutral oak characteristics while retaining the freshness of Sauvignon Blanc, making it a great food wine. The term is used by several wineries in California that produce a similar style.
Author: Maytte Rivera
