# Fumé Blanc (2024)

- **Producer:** Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sauvignon Blanc
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.7%
- **Average price:** €16
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, passion fruit, melon, grass, butter, cream

## About this wine

Ferrari-Carano's Fumé Blanc is a signature wine for the estate, first released in 1985. Sourced from diverse vineyards across Sonoma County, including Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and Russian River Valley, this wine represents a classic Californian take on Sauvignon Blanc. The winery, founded by Don and Rhonda Carano in 1981, has long been a cornerstone of Sonoma County winemaking, known for blending traditional techniques with modern innovation to showcase the region's diverse microclimates.

## Interesting facts

- The term 'Fumé Blanc' was originally coined by Robert Mondavi in the late 1960s to denote a dry, oak-influenced style of Sauvignon Blanc.
- Ferrari-Carano uses fruit from up to three different Sonoma valleys to achieve a perfect balance of tropical and citrus notes.
- This wine undergoes weekly lees stirring in neutral French oak barrels to develop its signature creamy texture without dominant oak flavors.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and vibrant citrus profile of this Fumé Blanc cut beautifully through rich, creamy dishes like butter-sauced seafood, while its subtle herbal notes complement green vegetables and fresh herbs. The touch of oak and lees aging provides enough body to stand up to light poultry and mildly spicy Asian cuisine.

## Wine making process

The grapes are harvested in the cool morning hours and gently pressed. The juice is fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks (around 65%) to preserve bright fruit character and neutral French oak barrels (around 35%) to add complexity and texture. Weekly lees stirring (bâtonnage) in the barrels for approximately one to two months enhances the wine's roundness and creamy mouthfeel before final blending and bottling.