Girlboss. I get it. Sauvy B is fun, yummy, and has a cute little nickname. It’s also probably the first “grown-up” wine you tried, but it doesn’t have to be the last! In this article, I’m going to give you all the knowledge and courage you need to stop being basic and WOW your friends with something new and yummy at the next girls’ night. 

Let’s start by breaking down what you actually like about Sauvignon Blanc. Across the board, it is a mineral, dry, acidic wine. Some of the best come from France, and the very best hail from Sancerre. The other big player in Sauvignon Blanc is New Zealand. The main difference is that, unlike those from France, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is quite floral — not sweet, floral. There is no such thing as a sweet Sauvignon Blanc, and please, please, please do not ask for it. Back to the point: liking New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is akin to liking a California Chardonnay. If you’re a wine drinker, you’ve likely tried both — so why not explore something new?

Now that you understand why you like this wine, we’re going to move away from France and New Zealand entirely and take a little trip to Italy. You probably know the main Italian reds already (if you don’t, we can talk after class), but one of the secrets Big Wine (Barefoot, Sutter Home…) doesn’t want you to know is that Italy also has some of the most delicious and dry white wines out there. Starting with the most expensive option — so you know what to make your BF buy — we have Etna Bianco. Mount Etna is an active volcano in Sicily and is considered its own sub-region due to its soil. Dry and crisp, any wines from this region also have a robust minerality unlike any other region on the planet. A good bottle of Etna Bianco sits around $25 and can go up from there, but trust me — she’s worth it. 

Now, for those not in the mood to splurge, fear not — we don’t have to go far to find something yummy and under $20. Aside from Etna, the rest of Sicily remains a great region when it comes to dry, mineral wines. I’m going to start by just name-dropping my favorite bottle of the moment, and you can either stop by Grape Collective or go on a scavenger hunt to find it: Fabrizio Vella (winemaker), Bianco Non Filtrato (100% Catarratto). Unfiltered and organic, this wine is dry and acidic with a burst of fresh citrus on the palate. It’s a bottle I’m keeping at least one of in my fridge at all times this summer. 

To keep this short and dry (get it?), I’ll leave you with one more grape: Vermentino. Also called Favorita when grown in Piedmont, Vermentino ages beautifully into a wine of the same name. You can easily find a good bottle on a budget, and this wine is ideal for those looking for something less acidic that still stays dry and neutral. She also pairs easily with any kind of seafood or salty snack.

All right! Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, sally forth and day drink! When you come back with an Italian hangover we’ll move on to two of my other favorite regions, Spain and Portugal. But for now, just do me a favor and SET DOWN THE SAUVIGNON BLANC.

Xoxo

*Any use of “girlboss” or other feminine pronouns is intended to be gender neutral. This article is for everyone, but especially the girls, gays, and theys. Drink responsibly and Happy Pride!