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Move over, Dirty Shirley. Slide aside, Negroni Sbagliato. Not now, Aperol Spritz. There’s a new contender for “Drink of the Summer” status — and it’s got spice, sass, and a TikTok cult following hotter than the peppers it’s steeped in: the Jalapeño Sauvignon Blanc.
Yes, you read that right. Take one part crisp “Sauvy B,” toss in a frozen jalapeño slice (or five), and voilà — you’ve got yourself the most chaotic cocktail since someone spiked kombucha with gin (don't do that again, fyi.)
What started as a spicy wine hack is now a social media moment. Gen Z sommeliers (read: influencers with ring lights and opinions) are tossing frozen jalapeños into glasses of sauvignon blanc and declaring it the poolside pour of 2025.
Sometimes there’s a sugar-water simple syrup involved. Sometimes it’s just wine, pepper, and prayer. But one thing’s certain: the internet’s tastebuds are tingling.
Industry Experts: Mildly Concerned, Deeply Confused
Wine professionals aren’t exactly uncorking the excitement.
Wine Enthusiast has a great take: depends on the Sauv, they say. And when Tasting Director for the brand, Anna-Christina Cabrales, was asked, she said the pepper taste evokes regional coupling, so she's transported to Chile, sp maybe consider a different food pairing to make it work. While Maria Yagoda, the article's author, doesnt really give a perspective, but rather points us to questions to ask ourselves, namely "If you buy the perfect Sauvingon Blanc, why are you putting peppers in it?"
In a recent Forbes article, their interviews aligned more with continuing this new trend. A Chicago sommelier stating it's a vibne not unlike a spicy margarita, and that "fresh peppers are key in order for their crisp bit to liven the wine." Chris Brzozowski from Montague Wine & Spirits hadn’t heard of the trend until reporters asked — but admits Sauvignon Blanc’s summer popularity makes it a natural canvas for experimentation.
Stephanie Goebel of Wright & Goebel drew the line firmly: “Once you add jalapeños, it’s a wine beverage, not wine.” Which is exactly what someone with a wine cellar and a palate says right before someone on TikTok gets a million likes.
Still, Goebel encourages drinkers to sip their own way. “Do whatever you want,” she said. “It’s all subjective.” Translation: You do you, but don’t drag me into this.
The Gothamist newsroom did the noble thing and turned this spicy stunt into a group tasting. Two bottles of Sauvy B — one from New Zealand, one Napa — got the frozen jalapeño treatment. Plastic cups, newsroom freezer peppers, the whole shebang.
The verdict? Mixed. Some said it tasted like meat marinade. Others dubbed it “refreshing with a kick.” One brave editor called it “the SoHo Margarita.” (We call that branding gold.) Pro tip: The heat doesn’t hit immediately — it’s a slow burn. Like a tea steeping… or a bad idea becoming a trend.
Interestingly enough, no one really likened this to the 2022 mini-movement of adding jalapeños to cheap rosé to enhance the flavor. It was yet another TikTok gone viral that had rosé and pink rosé drinkers gripped to their screens for a hot minute.
Will Jalapeño Sauvignon Blanc conquer rooftops and picnic coolers this summer? Maybe not. But in the age of TikTok virality and fearless flavor pairings, it’s earned its moment in the sun — and in your fridge, if you’re feeling bold.
This isn’t about sophistication. It’s about sensation. And sometimes, that’s all a brand (or a beverage) needs.
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