Nov 01 2009
Vintage Sauvignon Blanc “Kiwi” New Zealand
New Zealand is home to what many consider to be the best Sauvignon Blanc wines in the world, and the largest selling type of Sauvignon Blanc wine in the US is Kiwi! The Sauvignon Blanc grape is the same grape that is used to make Pouilly Fume, and the trend of aging or soaking these wines in oak originated in New Zealand. According to Wikipedia, “no other region in the world can match the Marlborough region of New Zealand for Sauvignon Blanc.” You can go to http://www.nzwine.com for a virtual tour of these vineyards, that demonstrate the martime climate (cool) and lucscious green hills that produce these fantastic wines. New Zealand produces on average 205 million liters per year of wine! That’s a lot of wine!
Here is a nice recipe for an island drink using Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc:
For a great barbecue party drink, try Island Mist Kiwi-Pear
Sauvignon Blanc Slammer:
2 Bottles of Island Mist Kiwi-Pear Sauvignon Blanc
2 Pears, peeled, cored, halved and cut into thin slices
2 Kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
2 Tablespoons of fresh squeezed lime juice
4 Ounces of orange liqueur
2 12 ounce cans of Club Soda
Now onto some favorite labels:
Giesen Marlboro Sauvignon Blanc 2002 (Cost: $10.99)
Light straw color with a glint of gold, this wine is exceptionally aromatic. Ripe peaches come up first, followed by juicy lemon-lime and a whiff of the “green chile pepper” scent that’s often found in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Ripe and full, juicy fruit flavors are so intense that the wine almost seems sweet; but a snappy citric tang brings it into balance, clean and lingering. (wineloverspage.com)
Sacred Hill Whitecliff Estate 2002 (Cost: $11.39)
This brass-color wine is clear and rather pale, with light, slightly floral aromas that seem a bit shy at first; but show pleasant white fruit with a bit of swirling and sniffing. It’s much more forward in the flavor department, citric and bright, snappy lime and tart, cleansing acidity in perfect balance. (wineloverspage.com)
A press release from “High Beam” has stated that in the past three years sales of Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand “have rocketed and producers struggle to keep pace.” So what are you waiting for? Try it!
