Tag Archives: Sauvignon Blanc

Lucked Out

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Remarkable value when at the sale price that is $10 off the regular price.  From the Wairau Valley, Marlborough wine region, Villa Maria Reserve 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is produced from sustainably-grown wine grapes.  From January 2019 onwards, Marlborough experienced a summer of the century, with a spell of long hot dry weather with moderately cool nights providing the perfect environment.


The later ripening due to elevation and cooler night temperatures of the Laugeson Vineyard in the upper Waihoipai Valley once again played a key part in the success story.


Crisp tropical fruit favours all the way through to the finish.  Keeping it cooler than usual for a white seems to enhance the taste.

SAUVIGNON BLANC – VILLA MARIA RESERVE WAIRAU VALLEY

$19.99 Regularly $29.99

13% alcoho

lUPC: 09414416001468

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

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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

Outside Mystery Case #8, making it a baker’s dozen

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Even though it’s from Baron Philippe de Rothschild, I wouldn’t consider it specifically special or really noteworthy. Nice. Yes. Exceptional. Not.  I’m gonna be brutal, and say it’s not quite up to Pays d’Oc high quality standards.


It does have the typical aromas of Sauvignon Blanc and there is a nice concentration of citrus fruits.  It is very fresh and went well with scallops and couscous and a grape/cucumber salad.


It’s nice low price gave The Goddess an opportunity to pick a couple of others at the top end of our budget.

PAYS D’OC SAUVIGNON – ROTHSCHILD

$10.97 regularly $12.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 00083960707714

They thought they could trick us

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Didn’t work. The daughter will get the Blood Orange Gin that was packaged with the Sauv Blanc.

Pioneers in process and varietals – The Brancott Winery was one of the first to plan Sauvignon Blanc in the Marlborough region in 1973., and have been instrumental in developing the region as one of the foremost regions in the world for this grape.


We liked it for it’s uniqueness in flavour. It would be instantly recognizable in a taste test grouping.  Well balanced with a very full fruit set of flavours and a fresh acidity.


It goes very well with Eastern Mediterranean dishes, particularly if serving just mezes (appetizers).

Easy to spot, just look for the upside down A on the label.

SAUVIGNON BLANC – BRANCOTT ESTATE MARLBOROUGH

$13.99 regularly $15.99

12% Alcohol

UPC: 09414024524366

Lovely Combo

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Over the top ($32.99) for our usual budget, but I could get used to this.  A great suggestion from the Goddess of Wine.


It’s something we haven’t done for many years – Cornish Game Hens. We added Wild Rice and a Green Veggie medley. A truly wonderful dinner that we will repeat.


We added a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, Chateau de Sancerre.

Subtle and incredibly balanced is our best description. It’s crisp with mineral tones.  It would go well with seafood too.

Chateau du Sancerre 

$32.99

13.5% alcohol

UPC: 03018300018523

Gently, Please

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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

I am allowed out unchaperoned

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We were in a different hood for our daily hoof and I thought I would check out what the Caddy Bay Private Liquor Store had to offer. 


I chose it because the blend looked interesting.  Grenache Blanc (part of the Chateauneuf du Pape blend), Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin, Vermentino, Chasan and Mauzac


This Paul Mas vineyard hails from the Aude Valley of Languedoc and produces good value at a reasonable price.


It’s not citrusy, not sharp.  It went very nicely with baked halibut steaks.


Claude Val white.  $12.99