Sauvignon Blanc is a well-known grape that is grown around the world. It produces a light colored, aromatic dry white wine with citrus and tropical notes and bright acidity. There are current theories that Sauvignon Blanc was derived from a cross between Traminer and Chenin Blanc that may have taken place in the Loire Valley of France.

The Sauvignon Blanc name is thought to be derived from the French word sauvage meaning ‘wild’ and blanc white mean ‘white.’ So, one might ask, if Sauvignon Blanc is a white grape, is there such a thing as a red or black (noir) grape named Sauvignon Noir? Well, the answer is no. But there is a famous red grape that is directly related to the Sauvignon Blanc grape.

Research in the late 1990 at the University of California, Davis used DNA typing to establish that Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc naturally crossed sometime during the 17th century and produced Cabernet Sauvignon!

Recent DNA testing has shown that Cabernet Franc is also one of Merlot's parents!

So, while there is no Sauvignon Noir, Sauvignon Blanc does have a very well know red varietal off-spring. Cheers!