• Home
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About

Tag Archives: New Zealand

The Label tells all

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics.  Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.

A family owned estate, hidden in the heart of Marlborough New Zealand, one of the world’s purest wine regions. Six varieties of grapes are grown on over 160 hectares of pristine vineyards. It just so happens that they share the valley with a satellite communication station that finds the terroir perfect for spying too. 

Lifted floral notes, guava and citrus. Palate: Distinctive flavours of passion fruit and white nectarine intermingled with layers of minerality, finishing with a fresh, mouth-watering acidity.

For a wine which is consistently good year on year, this is truly outstanding in the small but excellent 2021 vintage. This is a full, fresh and fruit-forward New Zealand sauvignon, with grapefruit, lime, nectarine and passionfruit aromas, while the palate is generous, juicy and refreshing.

SAUVIGNON BLANC – SPY VALLEY MARLBOROUGH 2021

$22.97

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 09421008350033

Marlborough mystery case New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Ned – Yes Please

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

A rich but focused wine, this Pinot Noir will probably age well. 

Fruit on the palate is fresh and bright. Tannins provide much needed structure. Medium long, red fruit finish. But there’s depth, too, with a hint of spice and earth to add complexity. 

Simply put — we liked it  a lot. Great value and, of course, goes very well with Lamb.

PINOT NOIR – MARISCO THE NED MARLBOROUGH

$24.99

14% alcohol

UPC: 00626990160847

mystery case New Zealand pinot noir

No! You can’t have mine .. I’m not sharing!

Posted on June 12, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Medium bodied. Light. Clear. Non-citrusy. Very nice minerality with a hint of lemongrass.  

It is superbly structured and balanced .  There is an excellent crisp acidity on the finish.


This delightful wine is entirely grown, crafted, and bottled in Marlborough and certified sustainable by the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand organization.


This would be great with snacks fare.


We should look for their Gewurtz and Chardonnays to see what they are like

SAUVIGNON BLANC – WHITEHAVEN MARLBOROUGH 2019

$16.99 regularly $18.99

13.0% alcohol

UPC: 09418579070019

Marlborough mystery c New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Whitehaven

Definitely Distinctive

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

It’s fresh.  It’s light. It’s Fragrant.  Nice, but not offensively fruit driven.  Pinot Noir with a touch of Chardonnay.
This one is ideal as an aperitif or, as we did,  with an omelette with parboiled, then grilled, potato slices.
it was recently awarded a Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

ROSE – OYSTER BAY MARLBOROUGH 2020

$17.99 regularly $19.99

13% alcohol

UPC: 09415549805602

Chardonnay Marborough mystery case New Zealand Oyster Bay pinot noir

Dry and Lean Mixology

Posted on March 20, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

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

Kim Crawford mystery case New Zealand pinot noir

A pair of C’s

Posted on February 27, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

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

California Chardonnay mystery case New Zealand Tom Gore Villa Maria

Gently, Please

Posted on December 5, 2020 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

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

mystery case New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Villa Maria

Recent Posts

  • Playing Favourites
  • Of the Land
  • Pain Index
  • Road Id-gets
  • Paraprosdokian 

Recent Comments

  • Danielle Terrien on No cough and full acceptance
  • Andy on Half the age of the vines
  • Hwney Wong on Inner Painting
  • Frank Towler on Volcanos and clay
  • Frank Towler on Have you been mashed up today?

Archives

  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020

Categories

  • ALL
  • Art
  • Humour
  • Music
  • Neighbours
  • Photography
  • Terroir

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
CyberChimps ©2025