RAISE A GLASS
I’VE been very low-key telling you about my visit to New Zealand; my friends would disagree as I’m doing the digital equivalent of sharing holiday snaps every time we meet. I’ve probably driven them to drink.
I was in with the in-crowd by the time I left NZ as I was asking for a glass of “savvie” instead of a sauvignon blanc; I’m now very hip.
New Zealand has made this grape its own and winemakers and marketing people have been celebrating this week in the leadup to International Sauvignon Blanc Day (May 4).
The classic region is Marlborough in the north-east of the South Island. I flew over Blenheim in the Wairau Valley, sweeping over acres of vineyards and I was surprised how flat it was. The nearby Awatere Valley is more undulating.
Sauvignon blanc wines from the Wairau Valley are more driven by tropical fruit notes, whereas Awatere wines can be more herbaceous and grassy.
Enough. Here’s some wine.
Co-op Irresistible Explorers Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (£7.49, 12.5% abv):
The wine is created for the Co-op by winemaker Heather Stewart at St Clair Family Estate. The nose isn’t overly-pungent but it still has vibrant notes of passion fruit, grapefruit, gooseberry and a good acidity which makes the mouth water.
Jackson Estate Stich Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (RRP £13, Waitrose, Tesco and Ocado, 13% abv): New Zealand is inextricably linked to all things Hobbit-y because of Peter Jackson’s epic films. I didn’t expect to admire the skills of the films’ design team at the Jackson estate just outside Blenheim. The cellar door has the look of a Hobbiton country shack and their private tasting room has been designed like a Hobbit’s home. It was here I tasted this wine; it is fresh and lively with characterful fruit – lemon and lime and a blossom of white peach.
Small and Small Serious Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (£18.99 or £12.99 if you’re an Angel investor at Naked Wines, 13% abv):
This is a new vintage due in at Naked Wines and was one of my standout choices at their summer showcase this week. The wine has classic signature notes of sauvignon blanc, but as it is fermented and matured in old French casks there are layers of complexity and a slightly buttery note. Seriously delicious.
Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc (£28, Oddbins, or £27 in a buy six deal at Majestic, 14% abv): The word “wild” indicates that natural yeasts on the grape skins and in the winery kicked off the fermentation. This production style creates a weave of flavours; dried herbs, peach, custard and pears. You can find the equally enjoyable but traditionally made Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (13% abv) at the Wine Society for £17.50. Find out more about NZ sauvignon blanc at winemarlborough.co.nz or nzwine. com. Follow #nzwine #sauvblanc on social media for wine tips to mark International Sauvignon Blanc Day. Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.