My weekly wine - Battle of Sauvignon Blanc

Last week was international Sauvignon Blanc day, so I am dedicating this week’s tasting to the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Why not go classic Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé, which I also had in my line up? Having Sauvignon Blanc from two different regions of New Zealand was way to tempting to write about.

Over the past 20 years New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc has established itself as a powerful, flavor intensive wine that is highly acidic, very grassy, grape-fruity and vivid. Representing over 80% of New Zealand’s wine exports, the white ‘wild’ (Sauvage) grape gained momentum especially as a fruit forward summer wine, often at a price point that is superior to its Old-World counterparts.

The first wine is a classic expression of Marlborough – Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2018, which is a handpicked blend from the subregions of Wairau, Awatere and Southern Valley of Marlborough. The wine is pale lemon green with intense flavors of fresh cut grass, grapefruit and tropical fruits. It’s a balanced wine with a medium body, alcohol and aroma intensity on the pallet but a high, fresh and vivid acidity. Some chalky, flinty characteristics break down the citric, grass, tropical fruitiness and give a round experience.

Our second wine is also from the South Island but from the South – Central Otago. The region is fairly new on the international wine map but reflects very good winemaking for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and of course Sauvignon Blanc. Peregrine 2017 is one of those players, introducing a Sauvignon Blanc with a bit more overall body, and medium plus aromas of lemon, lemon-grass, stone fruit and tropical flavors of passion fruit with a hint of spice and chalk. Overall, I find it to be a bit softer in acidity than Jules Taylor by still being balanced and complex. The grapes are harvested by hand from the subregions of Bendigo, which is one of the warmest regions in Central Otago, and Pisa.

My winner? Peregrine from Central Otago, just a bit more body and rounder aromatics. I often find the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc’s a bit too overpowering when it comes to acidity and herbaceousness.

ALSO keep an eye out for Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. - bubbles bubbles bubbles yum