Nelson Sauvin a.k.a. Nelson
The white-wine hop.
What it tastes like
Nelson Sauvin is named for its resemblance to Sauvignon Blanc wine — gooseberry, white grape, lime, passionfruit, with a flinty mineral edge. It's one of the most distinctive hops in the world. Tightly contracted, hard to get, and almost always advertised when a brewery uses it. Original Pattern, Cellarmaker, and Wondrous all secure significant Nelson allocations.
Best in these styles
Tasting Tip
Single-hop Nelson IPAs are rare and worth seeking out. The 'is this beer or wine?' moment happens once and you'll remember it.Beers showcasing Nelson Sauvin
- Various NZ-hop releasesOriginal Pattern
- VariousCellarmaker
- NelsonAlpine
Substitutes & relatives
If you can't source Nelson Sauvin, these hops bring overlapping character.
For brewers — technical profile
Alpha Acid
11–13%
Beta Acid
6–8%
Total Oil
1.0–1.2 mL/100g
Oil composition
myrcene
20-30%
humulene
30-40%
caryophyllene
8-12%
farnesene
1-3%
History
Bred at the New Zealand Plant & Food Research Institute, released in 2000. Named for Sauvignon Blanc wines from the same Marlborough/Nelson region.
Freshness Note
Volatile. The flinty/gooseberry character is at its best within 30–45 days of packaging.