1. In New Zealand, we punch above our weight. Even though we make only over 1% of the world’s wine, the world loves it.

    

2. Every second, something remarkable happens… 64 glasses of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc are poured worldwide.

    

3. Rock ’n’ roll and Sauvignon Blanc aren’t the most obvious match, but rock legend Iggy Pop is a fan of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc!

    

4. The C in Blanc is a subtle sound, almost silent. See if you can master this tongue twister… without saying the C in Blanc. "Crisp citrus character, cool coastal currents, cool clean cellars… all curated to carefully craft our celebrated Sauvignon Blanc.”

    

5. New Zealand’s prime spot on the world wine map is largely thanks to Sauvignon Blanc. Cloudy Bay’s 1986 Sauvignon Blanc (just our second vintage) created a buzz at the London Wine Show, and our 1996 Sauvignon Blanc was the first New Zealand wine ranked in the Wine Spectator Top Wines of the World list.

    

6. Much like the pavlova for Australians and New Zealander’s, there’s debate about whether Sauvignon Blanc came from Bordeaux or Sancerre. One thing is for sure: it’s a very old variety. In fact, it’s a parent to the famous Cabernet Sauvignon, and its name translates roughly as the ‘wild white grape.’

    

7. Why is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc so zesty and fresh? A lot of it is thanks to Marlborough’s rocky, free-draining soils. They’re too harsh for most crops to grow in, but perfect for Sauvignon Blanc because they let the vines develop in smaller and more concentrated bunches, leading to more intense aromatics and flavours.

    

8. The “greener” notes in Sauvignon Blanc come from compounds called methoxypyrazines, the same family that gives herbs their smell, which is why Sauvignon Blanc so perfectly matches food flavoured with basil, coriander and thyme.

    

9. While most Sauvignon Blanc is bottled young and bright, Cloudy Bay Te Koko is wild and fermented, whole-bunch pressed, and rested in old French oak and concrete. New World vibrancy, Old World patience.

    

10. Looking for a tipple to kick off your next holiday? Sauvignon Blanc is the best wine to drink on a plane, because its high acidity and aroma hold up better at altitude.

So there you have it! Turns out there’s more to Sauvignon Blanc than meets the glass… and there’s no better time to celebrate this popular drop than International Sauvignon Blanc Day.