Day 10, Congratulations on keeping up with us so far! May the days ahead continue to fill your days with warmth, happiness, and excitement. Keep up the enthusiasm, as today we have classic example of Fumé Blanc.
Temp Note: This wine should be chilled to about 45ºF / 50ºF. (Pop it in the fridge for about 3 hours and take it out 10 minutes prior to serving.)
Why is it called Fumé Blanc?
Fumé Blanc is a synonym for Sauvignon Blanc. This name dates back to the late 18th century in the Loire Valley. By the 1960s Sauvignon Blanc in the United States was synonymous with a Sauternes style sweet wine. In order to avoid confusion and to differentiate themselves in the market, several produces started to use the name Fumé Blanc on the labels of their dry Sauvignon Blanc. The first to bottle under this name was the legendary Robert Modavi. The popularity of the style and the name took off immensely. Since Modavi had popularize the term in America, Fumé Blanc not only came to represent a dry Sauvignon Blanc, but more specifically those that used his style of oak fermentation and aging.
Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc follows this tradition. It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from California’s North Coast. A portion of the wine is fermented in used French oak barrels. It is aged sur lie and stirred every other week for two months. It is then blended and bottled.