This grape variety originates from the Italian Tyrol. In France, it is allowed to botrytize and used in the sweet white wine blends for AOC Sauternes. In the Loire Valley, Sauvignon Blanc produces internationally-known dry, subtle, aromatic wines: AOC Sancerre, AOC Pouilly, AOC Quincy, AOC Reuilly, and AOC Menetou-Salon. Sauvignon Blanc has been planted in Italy, Spain, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Rumania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Greece, as well as the United States, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia. It is often confused with other varieties. It has given excellent results in New Zealand in recent years, especially in the Marlborough area near Blenheim, on the northern side of the south island. This grape variety is vigorous and should be pruned long. Its exuberant vegetative growth is controlled by planting the vines in poor soil on less vigorous rootstocks. Sauvignon Blanc bunches and grapes are small. Sauvignon Blanc wines are fresh and lively and develop a broad aromatic palette, featuring herbaceous (broom and boxwood) and tropical fruit (mango and passion fruit) aromas. It may be late-harvested or botrytized and blended into top-quality sweet white wines.