Taking the best of different regions on the South Island of New Zealand, we have the best characteristics all in one wine.
Soil mixes, rootstock mixes and clones – all blended for a unique profile.
Partially aged in French oak barrels, then aged in a mixture of French oak barrels and tank for five months.
It was superb with herb-crusted lamb chops. Next time, we’ll try it on it’s own.
PINOT NOIR – KIM CRAWFORD SOUTH ISLAND 2018
$21.99 regularly $23.99
13.5 % Alcohol
UPC: 09419227005193
Not often that we get to compare two of the same grape back to back.
Just because Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular wines, it doesn’t mean it is the most prominent in our wine rack. The Goddess makes sure that we try a lot of different grapes.
These two choices are great – but quite different in flavour and texture.
The Tom Gore had a longer finish whilst the Villa Maria highlighted what’s important as it works it’s way through the range of your taste buds.
Both are full, with creamy textures and have slight suggestions of oak.
The Tom Gore grapes are sourced from North and Central California Coast vineyards and have a 2% addition of Sauvignon Blanc.
Villa Maria has a blend of Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Waipara fruit.
We kept the food light with both. Next time, I think I’d try both with soft and mild cheeses or a light lunch just to let the winesspeak louder than the meal.
Tom Gore Chardonnay
$19.99
13.5%
AlcoholUPC: 00086003248014
Villa Maria East Chardonnay
$15.99
13.0% Alcohol
UPC: 09414416501876
Restrained? What the hell! Am I supposed to tie up the grapes and whip them instead of stomping on them to get out the juice?
Where do some of these wine reviewers get their terminology?
Another reviewer of this Sauv Blanc went on to say that the Vineyard is a story of passion. Now we’re getting kinky. Next thing you know we’re going to have to put a Restricted rating on the wine.
Villa Maria was also the first wine company in New Zealand to declare the winery a “cork-free zone,” sealing all wines from the 2001 vintage onwards with a screw cap to ensure quality in every bottle. They have used sustainable viticulture and wine making since the1990s. And they have been NZ’s most Admired Wine Brand from 2015-2019 for consistently outstanding focus on quality.
Southern Clays is a sub-region of the Wairau Valley in the eastern foothills of Marlborough New Zealand.
Definitely a fruit driven style with natural acidity.
Very much enjoyed with quick seared scallops (lightly seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika) and the house Special couscous made with the usual bad boys of cumin, cardamon, and turmeric.
SAUVIGNON BLANC – VILLA MARIA SOUTHERN CLAYS MARLBOROUGH 18
$24.97 regularly $33.99
13% Alcohol
UPC: 09414416105470
