Little Sheep Sauvignon Blanc

Little Sheep Sauvignon Blanc is a Massachusetts white made from Sauvignon Blanc, a grape that usually gives a dry, crisp wine with high natural acidity. The label doesn't list a vintage or tasting notes, so what follows describes what the grape and a cool New England growing region usually deliver. Expect citrus first, such as lime, grapefruit and lemon zest. Green notes like cut grass, bell pepper or fresh herbs often sit alongside the citrus, with some orchard fruit such as green apple or white peach. The body is typically light to medium, and the acidity should be bright and clean. Tannin isn't a factor in a white like this. Sauvignon Blanc is most often fermented in stainless steel, so oak influence is unlikely. If this bottle has any, it would show as a rounder texture rather than a toasty flavor. Expect a short-to-medium finish that ends crisp and fresh. At the table, high acidity makes this style useful with rich or salty food. Classic matches include goat cheese, fresh chèvre salads, and oysters or steamed clams, which suit Massachusetts well. Pan-seared white fish, shrimp with lemon and garlic, and chicken in a herb or caper sauce work well too. The green, herbal side of the grape also goes with asparagus, zucchini, pesto pasta and dishes seasoned with cilantro or dill. Very spicy food can overpower a wine this light, but mild Thai and Vietnamese dishes with plenty of fresh herbs are a good fit. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F, which is about two to three hours in the refrigerator or thirty minutes in an ice bucket. Serving it too cold mutes the aromatics, and letting it warm much past 55°F can make it feel flabby. Decanting isn't needed, since young Sauvignon Blanc is meant to be opened and poured. A standard white wine glass with a moderately narrow bowl concentrates the citrus and herbal aromas and keeps the wine cool in the glass. Treat this as a drink-now bottle. Sauvignon Blanc is generally made for freshness and is best within a couple of years of release, because its lively fruit fades with time. Keep it in a cool, dark place until you're ready to chill it. Once opened, recork it and keep it in the refrigerator, where it will hold its character for a few days.