Sunshine Bay 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

Sometimes we drink glamorous wines and other times…

Living The High Life

One of my friends frequently expresses that he is envious of my role as a wine writer and a reviewer of some really great wines. How I wish his imaginings were true.

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We aren’t chauffeured around in a limo to a private jet that flies us to exclusive wine galas where ultra-premium wine flows like water. I don’t lounge around all day in a tuxedo sipping grower champagne from the finest crystal. If only.

While we do get to taste and write about some really wonderful wine, there are times when the Green Dragon roars and demands that we stock up on inexpensive, everyday vino. Her drink of choice while soaking in the tub is Sauvignon Blanc.

That brings us to our wine of the day: Sunshine Bay 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s Marlborough region. This fell into the shopping cart at Aldi. At $7.95, if it were a complete bomb, it wouldn’t be too much of a loss.

Three Winning Wine Regions

I put Marlborough in the same category as Willamette Valley in Oregon or Horse Heaven Hills in Washington. It’s not that they share similar climates or soil – but rather that just about every bottle that comes out of these regions is a winner. Marlborough has about two thirds of all the grapevines in New Zealand. Most of it is Sauvignon Blanc, but the region is also the largest grower of Pinot Noir in the country.

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Just like Provence locked into the flavor formula for rosé, New Zealand perfected the taste profile for Sauvignon Blanc that captured a massive world market. Sunshine Bay sticks to the playbook and has produced an entirely drinkable wine that differs little from wines two or three times the price.

This is a wine that doesn’t deceive the sniffer. One smell of the cut grass aroma tells you this will be a classic Marlborough Sauv Blanc. It’s pale straw in color and almost certainly is aged strictly in stainless steel to keep the fresh bouquet and bright flavors. On the palate, you get a heaping helping of acidity that combines with the grapefruit flavor to deliver the trademark zing. There are also some floating peach notes.

The body is medium with an ABV of 12.5% keeping things light and lively. It’s a dry wine but rewards you with some nice fruit. This works well on its own or is a fine pick with shellfish, barbeque chicken, or chicken fajitas.

Sunshine Bay is a steal at $7.95. If you are looking for different expressions of the Sauvignon Blanc grape, check out French Sancerre or California. Chile also has some unique tasting Sauvignon Blanc and is right-priced.

Screwcap Wines Perfect For Your Outside Enjoyment

The current pandemic has increased the amount of time we’re spending outdoors. Here’s a list of some outstanding screw closure wines to enjoy while there.

Welcome To The Great Outdoors

Patios, backyards, parks, beaches, lakes, balconies, rooftops. Camping, picnics, hiking—one of the biggest trends of 2020 just might be how much time we’re spending outdoors. For the time being, our entertaining has all been on our back patio with plenty of room to social distance with our friends. We’ve been twisting off the tops of many wines in the process.

Wines with screw closures have come a long way. Previously screwcaps were used almost exclusively on low-quality, mass-produced wine. Today the story is much different.

Advances in closure technology now allows for the preservation of wine without the worry of cork taint. Many producers also tout the environmentally-friendly aspect of screw closures. You can no longer judge the quality of the wine by the bottle top.

Perhaps the biggest bonus is convenience. No foil cutter or corkscrew is required – and you don’t need to worry about resealing the bottle if you didn’t quite finish. Just twist the top back on.

Twist And Shout

We recently untwisted the tops on eight enjoyable screwcap wines:

Bernier 2018 Chardonnay, Loire Valley – We’re Loire Valley fans and consider these French wines fun with plentiful fruit. This Chard is fresh with apple and pear notes with minimal oaking. Nice minerality too. SRP $15.99.

Domaine Matrot 2018 Chardonnay, Burgundy – This Burgundy gets malolactic fermentation and time on the lees for a nice rounded flavor. The vines average more than 30 years old. SRP $28.99.

Domaine Matrot 2017 Pinot Noir, Burgundy – Made with grapes from Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, this is a Pinot designed to drink young. A fresh wine with sweet notes of red berries. Lacks the earthiness of some Pinot, but is juicy with soft tannins. SRP $33.99.

La Vieille Ferme 2019 Rosé – La Vieille Ferme is the best-selling French wine in America and is designed to be straightforward and inexpensive. The Rosé is thoroughly enjoyable at a mere $11.99 price. Made with Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah.

La Vieille Ferme 2018 Rouge – This is a unique red with a Southern France profile. The grapes are Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah. The grapes are crushed and fermented in cement vats, which gives the wine a light and playful style. One of my patio favorites at a mere $11.99.

MAN 2019 Chenin Blanc, South Africa – This Chenin Blanc, or Steen as its called in its home country, comes from unirrigated bush vines. Surprisingly, it is made from free-run juice – no pressing involved. This is a fresh, enjoyable mix of pineapple, lemon and apple flavors. SRP $11.99.

MAN 2017 Pinotage, South Africa – There’s a lot to love about this Pinotage (a South African specialty). It starts with earthy notes of mocha then softens into juicy, red berry bliss. This was a favorite of the Green Dragon (my lovely wife). SRP $11.99.

Mohua 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough – A satisfying, classic version of Marlborough Sauvignon with tropical fruit and lime notes punctuated with a zesty acidity. The Mohua is a small colorful bird found only on the South Island of New Zealand. This is a solid choice for the summery days of September. SRP $15.99

Full disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.

New Zealand’s Villa Maria Winery Lineup Offers Diversity, Sustainability

New Zealand was discovered in 1300 by the Maori, who are East Polynesians. They called it Aotearoa, the “Land of the Long White Cloud.” Villa Maria is one of New Zealand’s leading wineries.

One-Man Band Becomes Global Brand

New Zealand is a relative newcomer on the international wine scene. Located in the Pacific about 1,200 miles from Australia and far from any other landmass, its wine industry wasn’t firmly established until the 1970s. From there it took off like a rocket.

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There are now more than 400 wineries in New Zealand and it has enjoyed 23 straight years of export growth. Its wine export sales now exceed countries like Germany and Argentina and totals more than $1.7 billion.

Villa Maria is one of the premier wineries in New Zealand and has amassed an exceptional number of honors for its wine, efforts in sustainability and business practices. Its growth parallels the success story of New Zealand wine.

The winery was begun in 1961 by George Fistonich when he leased five acres of land from his father. Throughout the 1960s it was a one-man show, with support from George’s wife Gail. From those humble beginnings the winery has grown to an enterprise that now exports to more than 50 countries worldwide.

A Focus On Sustainability

As an island nation, New Zealand has a focus on the environment. In tune with this, Villa Maria has been a pacesetter in the area of sustainability, being a member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand since its inception in 1995. The winery is also measuring and managing its carbon footprint as part of a national research program.

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In February 2009, Villa Maria was the first major New Zealand winery to achieve BioGro organic certification for winery and bottling facilities in Auckland, enabling them to trace organic certification for our organic wines from grape to bottle. That’s an important designation, because wines “made with organic grapes” can be subject to all sorts of chemicals in the winemaking process, something many consumers don’t realize.

Villa Maria has about 500 sheep that control grass growth and provide natural fertilizer and about 70% of wine bottle packaging is made from recycled material. During a recent virtual tasting hosted by Snooth, we were able to taste through six Villa Maria current releases.

A Sparkling Surprise

When thinking of New Zealand, our thoughts immediately zero in on Sauvignon Blanc. The New Zealand style is our favorite and the grape thrives in the country’s cool ocean breezes. Villa Maria, though, presents quite a balanced lineup. Some of the guests for our impromptu tasting party were surprised to see the diversity.

We first opened the 2017 Bubbly Sauvignon Blanc. This is 100% Sauvignon Blanc and made specifically for the US market. It was a perfect arrival wine. Like all Villa Maria wines, it has a screw closure. The bubbles are  pleasantly spritzy. There is a kiss of sweetness. It’s a new wine and our group was enthusiastic about it. SRP is $15.

We don’t normally associate rosé with New Zealand, but perhaps we should. The 2017 Private Bin Rosé is from Hawkes Bay, the country’s top region for reds. It is a Merlot blend and salmon pink in the glass. The alcohol is a light 12%, making it a perfect mate for a wide variety of foods.

Taylors Pass: A Range Of Quality

Internationally, different labels produced by wineries are called ranges. We tasted two ranges, the Private Bin range and Taylors Pass. It was a captivating exercise: we had a Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinot Noir from each range, allowing us to compare and contrast.

The Private Bin range is a solid value. The 2017 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, for example, retails for $14 and delivers flowing cool-weather flavors with citrus and herbaceous notes and the right amount of acidity. It is the classic Marlborough style. Also from Marlborough is the 2017 Private Bin Pinot Noir. A tasty value at $18, this was a hit with our eight guests, each with different palates. It’s approachable with lush red fruit notes and went well with my famous blue-cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto.

Taylors Pass sits on the northern bank of the Awatere River. The vineyard is warm, sheltered from the cool breezes that flow down the valley from the mountains. The soils are a patchwork of different types, each eliciting different flavors from the grapes. In Taylors Pass the people must be very happy, based on the wines we sipped.

While the majority of our tasting party favored the Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, I was blown away by the 2016 Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc. It has complexity and herbal notes that make it a standout among Sauvignon Blancs. This is enhanced by four to six weeks on the lees. SRP is $26 and a good value at that.

The 2015 Taylors Pass Pinot Noir was the highlight of the tasting for me. This single vineyard Pinot spends 14 months in French oak (25% new) which yields oak notes that mingle pleasantly with cocoa and wild cherry flavors. The retail price is $42 and it is a nice value compared to a Willamette Valley or Russian River Valley Pinot of similar quality.

We’ve enjoyed a fair bit of Villa Maria wines over the years. Our latest tasting confirms our impressions – Villa Maria has a wide lineup of wines that are delicious and represent great values.

Full disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.

Technorati Tags: New Zealand wine,Sauvignon Blanc,Pinot Noir,tasting notes,sparkling wine,wine tasting,wine lover

Wairau River 2016 Pinot Noir, Marlborough

Pinot Noir is a traditional favorite for Thanksgiving. Here’s a top Pinot pick from New Zealand.

When the frost is on the pumpkin, our thoughts turn to autumn and the Thanksgiving meal. Around here, that means thinking about the best bottles to enjoy with the holiday meal too.  Rising to the top of the list is Pinot Noir.

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New Zealand isn’t always top of mind when thinking of Pinot, but we recently opened a bottle that reminds us that this country produces more great wine than just Sauvignon Blanc. The Marlborough region, is on the northern tip of the South Island and is protected from strong sea winds. Some of the best vineyard land is along the Wairau (why-raow) River, on flat plains where shallow and stony soils promote good vine growth.

The Rose family established their estate vineyards on the banks of the Wairau River in 1978. The wine blends three estate vineyards: Home Block, Spring Creek and Winery Block.
The Southern Alps mountain range runs the length of South Island and dissipates the prevailing winds from the west and creates a “rain shadow” in the region. There is plentiful, but not intense, sunshine. That allows the grapes a long, slow ripening period.

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In the glass the Wairau River Pinot is a violet color of medium depth. The aroma is of ripe cherries.
Aging is in French barriques for 10 months. That adds some nice complexity, but doesn’t detract from a supple texture.

There are subtle flavors of raspberry embellished with threads of earth, leather and oak. The finish is short with spice notes.

At a $24.99 SRP, this is a tasty value in New Zealand Pinot Noir. It has the hallmark lighter body and complex flavors of the grape variety wrapped in an elegant package. It’s a marvelous pick for your Thanksgiving Day turkey and the savory side dishes.

Full Disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

Technorati Tags: Pinot Noir,New Zealand wine,wine tasting,Thanksgiving wine,wine

Locations Latest Wines Raise The Bar

Our latest tasting shows that the key to winemaking success is location, location, location!

Winemaking Against The Grain

Winemaker Dave Phinney’s Locations brand flies in the face of most winemaking tradition. In most cases, wine regions are all about placing their stamp on a unique style. In France, Burgundy doesn’t want to be confused with Bordeaux. Napa Valley doesn’t want to be confused with Sonoma. Even Rutherford wants wine drinkers to know that its Cabernet is different than neighboring Napa Valley regions.

Check out our reports on more than 200 wineries

On the other hand, Locations tries to blend across all the major appellations to produce a wine that represents the country, or state, of origin. The question is, when you break the rules and thousands of years of tradition in pursuit of expressing freedom, does it work?

We uncorked the four latest Locations wines to find out. In our minds the answer is a resounding “yes.”

The Old And New Worlds

The quartet of Locations wine included two from the Old World (countries in Europe) and two from the New (everywhere else). Adorned in their attention-grabbing “bumper sticker” labels, we sampled E5, a Spanish red; F5, French red wine; NZ7, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; and WA5, a Washington red wine. Each is priced at $19.99.

Of the many Locations wines we’ve tried over the past few years, E is our favorite. Spanish reds are delicious and the Locations wine boundary-busting blend captures the spirit of the country. It is a blend of Garnacha (Grenache), Tempranillo, Monastrell and Cariñena. Three powerhouse regions are represented: Priorat, Ribera del Duero and Rioja. Also in the blend are grapes from Toro and Jumilla.

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Pepper, black raspberry and vanilla flavors swirl in the glass. It has a silky texture and a long, lingering finish.

The entry from France is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and various Bordeaux varieties (we assume Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot, maybe a few more). The grapes are sourced from Phinney’s network of growers in Rhone, Roussillon and Bordeaux. That prompts us to ask, “What is Burgundy, chopped liver?”

There is no arguing with the results, though. Grenache and Syrah are a classic Rhone formula. Syrah is also widely grown in Roussillon. The emphasis here is on red fruit, with notes of strawberry and cranberry with just a touch of earthiness. This is a solid and enjoyable wine and a great French value at sub-$20.

We uncorked the NZ at a wine dinner to serve with a spread of appetizers that included stuffed mushrooms. My wife is an extreme Sauvignon Blanc fan with a preference for New Zealand’s Marlborough region. For the NZ edition Locations stayed in one region, but sourced the grapes from three different valleys with different characteristics.

It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc and grapes come from Wairau Valley (known for crisp, grassy flavors), Awatere Valley (bringing the minerality) and Waihopai (with complexity from gravelly soil). This is a great bottle. Some people can get turned off by the extreme acidity in some Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. But NZ turns it down in favor of a more rounded, yet still crisp mouthfeel.

All the hallmarks are there including bright grapefruit and tropical flavors. The flavors of freshly cut grass add to the refreshing experience.

Pizza and Petite Sirah

Our final bottle, the WA, was popped for a casual evening dinner. We made flatbread pizza – one a Hawaiian style with pineapple and Canadian bacon, and the other a barbecue and chicken affair.

We go bonkers over Washington State wine and this did not disappoint. It is a blend of Syrah, Merlot and Petite Sirah. The producer is coy about the specific wine regions used, just saying it is sourced from “within the state’s best growing regions.” To us, that means it includes Walla Walla Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, and certainly Columbia Valley (which covers most the the vineyards in the eastern part of the state and drifts into Oregon too).

This is an elegant and enjoyable drinking experience. Although it has 15% ABV, it doesn’t taste “hot.” It is smooth and fruit forward with plum and black cherry notes. The Merlot softens the Syrah and the Petite Sirah adds a bit of mystery.

This is the first Locations Washington State blend and we applaud the effort. There are some unique AVAs in Washington, so we’d love to know specifically what’s represented in the blend.

We recently received a news item announcing that Locations has been acquired by E&J Gallo. We hope that the creativity and high QPR (Quality Price Ratio) continue with these wines. Dave Phinney has a magic touch with winemaking. He created the wildly successful Prisoner blend, then later built up the Orin Swift brand – both of which he later sold. Phinney will continue to be the Locations winemaker.

Whatever your location, you’ll like it better with a glass or two of Locations!

Full Disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

Technorati Tags: Washington State wine,French wine,Spanish wine,Sauvignon Blanc,tasting notes,wine lover

Locations New Zealand NZ6 Sauvignon Blanc

Locations Wine has made its name by blending appellations – mixing wine from across a country’s most famous regions. Its first edition of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc comes from a lone appellation – can you guess where?

All Marlborough All The Time

We are lovers of Sauvignon Blanc. My favorite white is still Dry Riesling, but the Green Dragon has a yen for Sauvignon Blanc. She passed the tipping point a long time ago and is “all in” on Sauvignon Blanc.

We recently tried a bottle of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, which I rated quite good. Green Dragon wrinkled her nose and said, “Of course it isn’t as good as New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.”

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc – specifically from the Marlborough region – is one of the world’s most popular wines. Locations Wine by Dave Phinney recently launched its NZ Sauvignon Blanc, and we were at the front of the line to give it a try.

Blending Valleys

Location Wines is known for mixing up blends from entire states or countries. It’s CA red blend from California, for example, sources grapes from Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and the Sierra Foothills. In doing so, they attempt to capture the essence of California. It’s a formula that has worked, especially when their line of world-class wines is so affordable.

The Locations NZ, adorned in the familiar “bumper sticker” label, breaks the mold. They stay right at home in the Marlborough appellation. That’s fine with us, since it is one of our favorite regions.

What they do instead is blend grapes from the two major valleys in Marlborough, Wairu and Awatere, with grapes from the southern valley of Waihopai. The differing characteristics add up to a nicely complex glass.

In the glass Locations NZ is brilliant pale yellow. On the nose are the hallmark crisp grassy aromas. On the palate this 100% Sauvignon Blanc is crisp with lemon overtones. While having a nice dollop of acidity, this isn’t as biting as some of the edgier Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs. It has ample lush tropical fruit flavor notes served up with clean minerality.

Fermenting in stainless steel keeps the flavors pure and focused. While no date is noted, the NZ6 designation indicates this is a 2016 vintage. It’s designed to drink in the near term. At the SRP of $19.99, that’s easy to do – again and again.

Locations wine, including the new NZ release, is a quality lineup at a very affordable price. You can travel the world without busting your budget. Next stop? New Zealand!

Full disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.

Technorati Tags: New Zealand wine,Marlborough,wine,Sauvignon Blanc

New Zealand’s Villa Maria Wines Blend Sustainability, Variety

For more than 50 years, Villa Maria has been a leader in the New Zealand wine industry. We open some bottles to discover why this winery in a tiny country is making such a big splash.

A Visit To New Zealand

New Zealand is a country about the size of Japan in the southwest Pacific. Although it is often lumped together with Australia in the minds of many, it is actually more than 2,500 miles away. New Zealand offers a dizzying array of terrain including glaciers, fiords, mountains, plains, rolling hillsides, subtropical forest, a volcanic plateau and miles of coastline. The unique combination of climate, soil and water results in conditions just right for outstanding wine.

We recently toured New Zealand. One day, maybe next year, we’ll tour it firsthand. But most recently, it was an armchair tour courtesy of Villa Maria, a leading New Zealand winery, and Snooth, the online wine site which hosted a virtual tasting.

Villa Maria was started by George Fistonich, who leased five acres of land in the early ‘60s. Today they export to 50 countries, employ 250 staff and are known for industry-changing moves such as moving to 100% screwcap closures and the emphasis on sustainable practices in every area of the family owned company

Sauvignon Blanc Yes, But So Much More

Green Dragon loves, loves, loves New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It is the epitome of New World wine – bold, fruit-forward flavors that can be enjoyed with or without food. My wife could drink a river of it.

If Sauvignon Blanc is all that New Zealand contributed to the world, that would be enough. But as we discovered during our tasting, their winemaking prowess isn’t confined to Sauvignon Blanc. Spread over two nights, we sampled a sextet of Villa Maria wines accompanied by some of Green Dragon’s culinary creations. Our tasting panel consisted of Green Dragon, my brother Tom and his wife Helen plus our friend Maria. (We explained that we arranged a tasting of Villa Maria wines in her honor!)

We actually tried two Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc. The 2016 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is light yellow in color with an aroma of cut grass. On the tongue there is mouthwatering acidity with notes of honeysuckle, lemon and apricot. This version is not as jarringly acidic as some New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and so I would categorize this as a crowd pleaser that wine experts and newbies can enjoy together. At $13, this is a downright steal.

The next Sauvignon Blanc was distinctly different from the rest of the wines. It was a bubbly and in fact, is called Bubbly. The wine is made as a regular Sauvignon Blanc, but then is carbonated with the injection of carbon dioxide. It’s unfair to compare this with a true Champagne or a Cava. Those undergo a second fermentation in the bottle. This is frizzante in style – lightly effervescent, just enough to tickle your nose. It was refreshing during the hot evening on the back patio. It has a $15 SRP.

We sampled the 2016 Private Bin Rosé with Amaretto chicken. This is a Hawkes Bay wine made primarily from Merlot. This is a delightful wine that’s light rose in color with a light-medium body. It has flavors of candied rose petals – but remains crisp and dry. This is a sure winner for hot weather refreshment and is another bargain at $14.

The remaining white was the 2015 Taylors Pass Vineyard Chardonnay. The Single Vineyard series is a range above the Private Bin series. In the case of the Taylors Pass Chard, the results are evident in the glass.

The wine is whole cluster pressed and is aged on the lees for nine months. It is oaked in a combination of 25% new and 75% seasoned French oak. The wine also undergoes malolactic fermentation.

We served the Chardonnay with pierogi and passion fruit carrots. The wine has a buttery aroma and on the palate there are notes of oak, toast and butter all tied together with nice acidity. It retails for $45.

Reds New Zealand Style

There was a duo of Villa Maria reds to sample. We tasted the Cellar Selection Merlot blend with Green Dragon’s Texas barbeque. This was the first wine we opened. I’m not sure there’s any connection between Texas and New Zealand – but it was a nice evening and we had a hankering for a cookout.

The blend is 70% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Malbec. It hails from Hawkes Bay, where the climate is more suited to the production of high quality Cabernet and Merlot than Marlborough.

This is a deep, dark red in the glass – almost opaque. On the palate Green Dragon found Bing cherry and mulberry. There is a smidge of spice on the finish.

The wine is aged 20 months in French oak, but even so, our barbeque was a bit overpowering for it. A pork or lighter beef entree would have made a better match for this medium bodied wine.
New Zealand Pinot Noir has been getting a lot of buzz lately, and so we were glad to sample the Villa Maria 2014 Cellar Selections Pinot Noir from Marlborough. This paired nicely with the variety of small artisan pizzas rustled up by Green Dragon.

Marlborough has high heat during the daytime, but the temperatures are regulated by cooling ocean breezes. This is just the recipe for the notoriously difficult Pinot Noir grapes. The Villa Maria Pinot delivers herbal and smoky notes overlaid on red fruit flavor. The acidity keeps this a lively sip. The wine ages in French oak for 10 months and also gives time on the lees for added texture. It retails for $26.

In all, Villa Maria offers a tasty range of New Zealand wines. They are priced to overdeliver on value and present a wide range of styles. There’s surely one (or several) to appeal to any wine lover.

Full Disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

Open Kimono 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

Green Dragon is always on the prowl for a great Sauvignon Blanc at a tasty price. She has discovered yet another.
Open Kimono appears to be a wine company in California that produces at least two wines, this Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and a Riesling from Washington State. Those are some good locations from which to source wine.
The price point is appealing. It is listed at $13.99 but marked down to $9.99. My wife was attracted by the stylish label, but the liquid inside was quite enjoyable too.
Green Dragon prefers the Marlborough style of Sauvignon Blanc – tangy, tart with a blast of acidity. This delivered on all. The wine has the herbaceous, cut grass aroma and nice tropical flavor notes.
As the mercury starts to rise this summer, this is a great wine to chill down and chill out.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 5 of 5

Villa Maria 2010 Private Bin Pinot Gris, East Coast, New Zealand

This New Zealand Pinot Gris was the second of two Villa Maria wines that we picked up on clearance at Andersons. We really enjoyed the Villa Maria Dry Riesling and hoped this would show just as well.
Green Dragon, my wife and tasting partner, popped this open – or should I say unscrewed. Like many white wines from New Zealand, it has a screw top – but that is certainly not a sign of lower quality.
The real story is what’s inside the bottle. Unfortunately, this wine left Green Dragon underwhelmed.
This wine is off-dry, with grapes coming from the Marlborough, Gisborne and Waipara winegrowing regions. At 5.7% residual sugar, the winery calls this off dry – but we call it too sweet. The wine is also lacking the necessary acidity to balance the sweetness. As a result, you have a medium bodied wine that has a rounded flavor, but a bit flabby.
The wine is aged in stainless steel, which we appreciate in white wines. That allows the true flavor of the grape to shine through unmasked by heavy oak. However, that’s another reason why this is a pretty simple wine.
The flavor notes are of pear and honeysuckle. For those who prefer sweeter wines, this could be a good choice on occasion. We paid about $10 for this, so it certainly won’t bust the budget. However, there are better choices out there for the money. A nice Pinot Gris from Oregon would cost just a few bucks more and deliver a step up in quality.
Rating: 1.5 of 5  Value: 2 of 5

Technorati Tags: wine,New Zealand wine

Pintar 2011 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

New Zealand’s Marlborough region is tops for producing the racy style of Sauvignon Blanc we so enjoy. Pintar is a product of Cooper’s Creek winery and crafted from grapes sourced from seven different vineyards.
The Green Dragon, my wife and expert on NZ Sauvignon Blanc, rates this wine highly as it offers a similar flavor profile to her favorites Kim Crawford and Starborough. At $12 per bottle, it’s an easy way to keep the Dragon happy.
In the glass, the wine is a light yellow-green. On the nose, you can detect the trademark Marlborough notes of citrus and cut grass.
The flavors are a blast of lemon and lime laced together with vibrant acidity. The overall impression is sunshine and light. It is rich with flavor and the texture feels full.
Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest wine producing region, accounting for almost 80% of that country’s production. The shining star is Sauvignon Blanc, which is available at remarkably low prices. Pintar is a solid addition to the the field.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 4 of 5

Related articles

• Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (cheapwinefinder.com)
• New Zealand embraces Sauvignon blanc (thetimes-tribune.com)
• 2013 Three Brooms Sauvignon Blanc (bestofneworleans.com)

Matua Valley 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

In 1974, Matua Valley was the first winery to produce Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand. In fact, they proudly proclaim that they have changed the way the world drinks wine. For that we all owe them a great debt.
At about $11, Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc is a safe, everyday wine. However, it lacks the pizazz to send us into cartwheels.
In the glass there is a bright yellow with greenish hue. Swirling releases some nice tropical aromas.
On the palate the flavor of grapefruit chimes in strongly. There is pleasant acidity, but not quite enough to give the vibrancy we hope for in a Marlborough Sauv Blanc. It certainly will do for a casual sip, but not for special occasions.
We noticed that Matua has a wide spectrum of wines, ranging from the First Frost line, which is 25% lower in alcohol and calories, to the Single Vineyard line, which looks right tasty. Perhaps these wines have the stamp to make them legendary. This offering is a bit nondescript for the pioneer of New Zealand’s signature grape – especially in a category where great values abound.

Technorati Tags: wine,Sauvignon Blanc,New Zealand wine

Rating: 2 of 5  Value: 2 of 5

Related articles

• I Know What I Like - Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - Part 3 (frankstero.com)
• Matua Pinot Noir 2011 wine review by (PB) (winecask.blogspot.com)
• Wine Regions of Auckland (sharlenefreelancewriter.wordpress.com)

Villa Maria 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

In the mood for something different, I pulled this bottle from the cellar recently. You can’t get more different than a Cabernet Sauvignon – Merlot blend from some place called Gimblett Gravels.

This wine is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and 2% Malbec. It comes from Hawkes Bay. Hawkes Bay is the second largest wine producing region in New Zealand after Marlborough. It’s known for producing high quality Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay – as well as the beautiful Hawkes Bay itself.
Gimblett Gravels is a wine growing region with a special terroir that produces some of the world’s finest full-bodied red wines. It is identified by gravelly soils laid down by the old Ngaruroro River, which were exposed after a huge flood in the 1860's. It’s a relatively new region, with the first red grapes being planted in 1981.
Villa Maria was founded in 1961 and has grown to a global brand exporting wine to 250 countries. In 2001 Villa Maria became “cork-free” and all bottles use screw caps.
This is a delightful wine that I scored as part of a “mystery half case” bought online. Based on the overall price, this wine cost a miniscule $9.99 – and its taste was huge. (I scored a deal because you can typically expect to pay $30 to $40 dollars for it.)
Through bottle age, the Reserve Cabernet-Merlot has softened to a delicious smoothness rife with cherry and plum and a smattering of herbs. This is a wine with a finish that hangs on and on. It’s a wonderful sipping experience.
Looks like Gimblett Gravels is the “go to” location for quality reds in New Zealand!

Technorati Tags: Cabernet Sauvignon,Hawkes Bay,Gimblett Gravels,New Zealand wine

Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 4 of 5

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TWAV Goes South of the Equator with Successful Tasting at Zinful Wine Bar and Restaurant

It was an exotic and sometimes raucous evening at Zinful Wine Bar and Restaurant during the Toledo Wines and Vines South of the Equator tasting. Wines from Argentina, Australia, Chile and New Zealand were featured.

Six wines were on the tasting menu plus a seventh bonus wine. Chef Mike prepared four dishes to accompany the wines. The wine lineup was:

• Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
• Carrick "Unraveled" Pinot Noir, New Zealand
• Santa Ema Reserve Merlot, Chile
• The Lucky Country Shiraz, Australia
• Allamand "H" red blend (50/50 Malbec, Cab), Argentina
• Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina
• Bonus Wine (extra charge) Montes Purple Angel Carmenere, Chile

Keep reading to find out which was the favorite selection from the 36 or so attendees.

The lone white on the list was the Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, from New Zealand. It was a very good choice. We love the vibrant Sauv Blancs from the Marlborough region and this was spot on. The refreshing wine had zesty citrus flavors with a touch of herbaciousness. The acidity was not teeth-rattling and so it was a nice kickoff to the evening. This was picked as the group’s second favorite wine.


Lamb chops with potato rosti and fresh herb pistou was the food pairing with the Carrick “Unraveled” Pinot Noir, another New Zealand wine. New Zealand is rapidly gaining a reputation for world-class Pinot. It comes from Central Otago, the world’s southernmost winemaking region. This wine has depth with some spice and earth flavor notes.



Next was perhaps the best value wine in the tasting: 2010 Santa Ema Reserve Merlot from Chile. This wine explodes with richness without becoming a “fruit bomb.” It has supple flavors of blackberries and plum with wafts of vanilla and caramel. It has a long, smooth finish. It paired nicely with the Plantain soup with brie crutes. This was the overall favorite of the group by a far margin! Many bottles marched out the door at the end of the evening.

We next visited Australia’s McLaren Vale region for The Lucky Country 2010 Shiraz. When selecting the wines for the tasting, we had previously sampled another Shiraz that had a good dollop of sweetness. We opted for this drier version and were not disappointed. It paired nicely with some Poppyseed Cheesecakes. This is a savory wine with a focus on dark fruits. It tends more to the rugged flavors of Syrah than the Shiraz style (both the same grape!).

You can’t have a South of the Equator tasting without Malbec. The Allamand “H” red blend is 50% Malbec and 50% Cabernet. Our tasters either loved it or could leave it. The wine is finished in oak, giving it the sturdiest tannins of the lineup so far. Malbec is a plush wine, but here the softness is balanced with the Cabernet.

We called in tasting team member The Cabinator to introduce the next wine, the 2008 Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. The wine is from the Lujon de Cuyo region known as the prime growing area of Mendoza. The wine is produced through a partnership with Paul Hobbs. This is a magnificent Cabernet at about half of what you might pay if the label read Napa Valley. Dark chocolate, currants and oak percolate through this wine, which is deep and rewarding.

The bonus wine was the Montes Purple Angel Carmenere from Chile. Carmenere is Chile’s most famous red grape – with the prominence that Malbec has in Argentina.  It is a member of the Cabernet family of grapes, but has a softer body and richer red berry flavor. It also has a dash of Petit Verdot. This was the most complex wine of the evening and had several layers. Beyond the berry rush there was a nice mixture of toast and tea leaves. Just luscious.

Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the evening. A special tip of the cap to Joyce Franzblau and her staff at Zinful for making it an extra special night. We promise we won’t wait another three years until our next TWAV tasting.

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Nobilo 2011 Icon Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

If there is one place you can get bang (or maybe zing) for your buck, it is the Marlborough region of New Zealand. For $10 or less you can bag a completely satisfying Sauvignon Blanc.
In recent months my mantra has been to focus on fewer bottles of wine, but of higher quality. With this in mind I reached for the top shelf at the wine shop and grabbed the 2011 Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc, which is a step up from the economy Sauv Blancs from New Zealand.
One whiff signals the trademark citrus zest of the New Zealand style. Upon sipping, splashing lemon and grassy flavor notes are pronounced. There also is a crackling acidity, which makes you smack your lips and pour another glass.
The Icon label uses specially selected Sauvignon Blanc grapes from top vineyard blocks in several Marlborough subregions, each contributing its own nuances. The blocks are cold fermented separately using a variety of yeasts to culminate in a symphony of flavor.
I paid $19 for this bottle and it’s a nice value. This is a rich, full bodied wine that pairs naturally with seafood.
Rating: 3 of 5   Value: 3.5 of 5

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Wither Hills 2008 Pinot Noir, Wairau Valley

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Has the world turned upside down? I used to view New Zealand mainly as the go-to location for Sauvignon Blanc. When the palate craved Pinot Noir, the first thought is the Willamette Valley in Oregon, maybe Carneros in California or a nice French Burgundy.

We recently cracked open this 2008 Wither Hills Pinot and learned firsthand that there certainly is something to the buzz about high quality Pinots coming out of New Zealand.

The Wairau Valley is an area within the famous Marlborough wine growing region. It has shallow, stony and fast-draining soil and a warmer, wetter climate than the other valley in Marlborough.

I purchased this wine online for a mere $17. It scored highly during our first NZ Pinot test drive.

The wine opens a bit hot at first. Some swirling and conversation allowed the Pinot to unwind and soon it showcased bright fruit berries and an earthy tone.

A medium-bodied wine, it is cranberry in color. I found it to be more interesting than Pinots that strictly had a fruit profile. The herbal quality gave it an interesting twist.

The texture is relaxed all the way, with tannins playing an integrated support role. We suggest decanting this wine to enjoy the full extent of its charm.

The wine reminded me of a recent trip to visit my brother out in the country. At one point we were rumbling along a gravel road then we reached pavement and the ride suddenly became quiet and silky smooth. How refreshing!

Rating: 4.5 of 5   Value: 5 of 5

Technorati Tags: wine,Marlborough,New Zealand wine

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Walnut Block Wines Collectables 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

The postage stamp design on the Walnut Block Wines Sauvignon Block is quite eye-catching, but this New Zealand wine doesn’t make a special delivery.
It’s designation as part of the “Collectables” series had us hoping for just a little bit more than what we found in the glass. The citrus and melon flavor notes along with the herbaceousness associated with Sauvignon Blanc add up to a perfectly satisfactory wine. Those who want something extraordinary, however, won’t find it here.
This wine retails for about $15, but can be found on sale for less.

Technorati Tags: wine,Sauvignon Blanc,New Zealand wine

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Coopers Creek 2008 Marlborough Pinot Gris

After the second glass of this wine, Green Dragon commented that it “didn’t taste like the other Sauvignon Blancs.” With good reason.
This wine is a horse of another color, unlike the Sauvignon Blanc for which this New Zealand region is well known.
The Coopers Creek Pinot Gris is full bodied with a dusky gold color. It is a fine example of the Pinot Gris style, which has more stoutness than lighter, fruiter Pinot Gris although made from the same grape.
Exotic with flavor notes of pear, this wine has a thread of earthiness that adds to its refreshing character. There are undertones of minerality. It has 13% alcohol.
Coopers Creek is a family owned winery that began operation in 1980. Eighty percent of their wine is sold outside New Zealand in more than 25 countries.
It is a refreshing wine that has gained complexity since we first tried it more than a year ago.
Rating: 3 of 5

Technorati Tags: wine,New Zealand wine,Pinot Gris

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Spy Valley 2004 Dry Riesling, Marlborough

New Zealand isn’t the first place I think of when considering Dry Riesling. In fact, it’s not even the fourth or fifth. So when I purchased a six-bottle year-end lot from an online wine company, I was intrigued to discover this bottle of Spy Valley Dry Riesling.
Green Dragon loves Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. The zesty wines have a combination of freshness and acidity that she really loves. Hopefully the Riesling would have the same allure.
But this bottle caused me to have some doubts beforehand for a couple of reasons. First, I’d never had a Riesling from New Zealand and second, seven-year-old white wines are an iffy proposition at best.
Fortunately, Riesling is an exception to the short lifespan of most white wines. The high acidity helps preserve the wine and even lets it age and develop interesting character.
That was the case with this wine which I found to be even more exotic than I imagine it was back in 2005 or 2006. The wine is a deep golden color. The aroma of petrol mostly masked the citrus smells. On the palate this wine compares very favorably to top Dry Rieslings, with minerality, citrus fruit and peach. This is a medium bodied wine with complexity.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, but Green Dragon said the bouquet was a distraction for her.
The ‘04 Spy Valley is an evolved wine, it still is drinking well, but I expect that the roller coaster has crested the hill and is starting to move down the other side.
Rating: 3 out of 5

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Three Versatile Pinot Noirs For Your Thanksgiving Feast

For many hosts choosing wines for the Thanksgiving meal can present a challenge. You need a wine that compliments the many different tastes and textures of this holiday feast. One of your best choices is a Pinot Noir, a wine that flashes elegance and a light taste that doesn’t bring an uninvited heavy flavor to the table.

We recently sampled three Pinots to see how they will pair with your Turkey Day food. Kudos to Green Dragon, who prepared a delicious herb-seasoned turkey tenderloin accompanied by a butternut squash risotto.

We opened with the 2009 The Crossings Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s Marlborough region. Marlborough is known for knockout Sauvignon Blanc, but in a recent worldwide tasting event, New Zealand was the top choice for Pinot Noir. This wine has a smoky cherry nose and tasted a bit aggressive on the front end. Once the turkey was being gobbled it started to blend nicely and offered up spicy raspberry flavor notes. Price is about $19.

Our second tasting was the Sonoma Coast Vineyards Freestone Hills Pinot Noir 2008. This is a beautiful Pinot that you can be proud to serve on any occasion. It has a smooth glide of dark black cherry and raspberry that warms the palate and accentuates the turkey flavor. The finish is medium in duration with moist cherry. The fruit is prominent without being jammy. Price is about $40.

We circled back and made an unconventional Pinot the final selection. Llia Llia 2010 Pinot Noir is from Chile and is still a young wine. It is a brilliant red color with ripe and intense fruit. This is a simpler, more earthy wine than the rest yet paired well with our pumpkin roll dessert. Although this wouldn’t be our first pick for Thanksgiving, it isn’t a bad choice and is certainly a great value. Price is about $13.

Full Disclosure: We received these wines as samples.

Technorati Tags: wine,Pinot Noir

2010 SOHO Black Label Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

This expressive New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was the second half of an outstanding online wine purchase. For $25 I purchased a “duo” of Sauvignon Blanc from SOHO, a cool Marlborough winery through Lot 18, which offered free shipping.
One bottle was the White Label, which was billed as the everyday drinker. Everyday must be nice in New Zealand because it was rated very highly by us. The Black Label is dubbed as the choice for special occasions.

A side by side tasting would have been ideal, but as things turned out, we tasted each about a week apart, starting with the White Label.

The White was like a rogue ocean wave hitting you in the face on a sunny summer day. It was crisp and refreshing. We were looking forward to tasting the “dark side” with the Black Label.
The Black Label begins with a splash of lime. There is also a fleshy, herbal quality to go along with the bright fruit. It gives the wine a fuller mouthfeel and a layer of nuance not found in the White Label.
The acidity is mouthwatering and the overall sensation very refreshing. The wine can stand alone or pair beautifully with seafood. Black or White label is a good choice with the Black flashing a bit more sophistication.

Technorati Tags: wine,Sauvignon Blanc,New Zealand wine

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