Viu Manent Sauv Blanc

This Sauvignon Blanc is listed with a Massachusetts, United States origin. The details supplied give no vintage, ABV, or tasting notes, so what follows describes what the style typically delivers. Expect a bottle on the crisp, aromatic side. Sauvignon Blanc usually shows citrus, such as lime, grapefruit, and lemon zest. Green notes like cut grass, green apple, or gooseberry often come alongside them, and some bottles add a touch of passion fruit or white peach. The body is generally light to medium, the acidity bright and refreshing, and there is no tannin to speak of in a white of this kind. Most examples are made in stainless steel and finish clean and fairly short, with little or no oak influence. If this bottle does see oak, expect a rounder texture and a hint of toast, but the unoaked profile is the safer assumption. Serve it well chilled, around 7 to 10°C (45 to 50°F). That is roughly three hours in the refrigerator, or thirty minutes in an ice bucket of water and ice. Colder than that mutes the aromatics, while warmer than about 12°C makes the acidity feel sharp and the fruit flabby. It does not need decanting. Just pour it straight from the bottle. A standard white wine glass with a medium bowl and a slightly narrowed rim concentrates the citrus and herbal aromas. A thin-walled glass also helps keep the wine cool in the hand. At the table, the acidity makes it a natural partner for foods that would otherwise feel heavy. Fresh goat cheese, grilled or steamed shellfish, oysters, ceviche, and simply cooked white fish all suit it, as do salads dressed with lemon or vinaigrette. Dishes with fresh herbs, such as basil pesto, dill, or cilantro, tend to echo the wine's green character. It also stands up to mildly spicy Thai and Vietnamese dishes, where the chill and acidity offset the heat. As a style, Sauvignon Blanc is built for drinking young while the fruit is fresh. Plan to open it within a year or two of purchase rather than cellaring it, since extended storage generally dulls the aromatics instead of improving them. Once opened, reseal it and keep it refrigerated. It should hold its character for two to three days.