Sauvignon’s Secret Scent

New Zealand’s world-renowned sauvignon blanc is made up of a combination of aromas including sweet, sweaty passionfruit, asparagus, and cat’s pee according to a six-year study conducted by wine scientists. The tests were carried out by an expert sensory panel trained to distinguish between sixteen flavours, including canned and fresh asparagus, stone fruit, apple and snowpeas. The Wairarapa was found to be the top spot for cat’s pee influences in the white wine. Plant & Food science research leader Dr Roger Harker said wine connoisseurs routinely describe wine using the terms such as cat’s pee and capsicum and now the market place was also catching on. Cooper’s Creek winery had already caught on, calling its sauvignon blanc Cat’s Phee on a Gooseberry Bush. Wine science lecturer at Lincoln University Sue Blackmore said the flavours were only found in moderation. “We’re talking about parts per billion, very tiny amounts to make the wine more complex and interesting,” Blackmore said.