I believe that if it wasn’t for New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc would have fallen off the map of the wine world. As it is, it is 4th in white wine sales in the United States, surpassed a few years ago by of all things, Moscato. The problem is very similar to what happened to Merlot. When Merlot was hot in the seventies and eighties, many wineries especially from the central coast of California pumped out a ton of insipid versions of this wine. So when the movie Sideways came out and dissed Merlot, that’s all it took and Merlot sales tanked. Today, Merlot sales are slowly coming back as wine drinkers realize that there are many out there that are well made and age-worthy. You can still get those watered down versions, but they do not dominate the market.
When it comes down to watered down Sauvignon Blanc, there are a ton of examples out there. However, New Zealand jumped into the national scene and folks started discovering Sauvignon Blanc with zest and flavor that they may have never experienced before. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc caught on fire, and remains some of the top-selling wines in the Sauv. Blanc category.
If you are a fan of rain, than you no doubt have been enjoying this spring in the Pacific NW. Recently, we have finally been seeing some sun and it feels fantastic. I like all kinds of weather, but come on, it’s time for some consistent sun. To encourage warmth and sun, I’ve decided to pick a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand for June.
2016 Spy Valley Wines Satellite Sauvignon Blanc
2016 Spy Valley Wines Satellite Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)… $12.
White and pink grapefruit notes on the nose with a dash of pine and gooseberry. Solid acidity on the palate that is well-integrated with notes of grapefruit, grapefruit pith and pine needles that give it a nice complexity and interesting flavor profile. Line notes join up on the long, bracing finish. I like the pine and pith element that keeps this from going all grapefruit like so many of them do. This is a porch pounder and a perfect complement to shellfish. (B+)
Come on sun and come on NZ SB.
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
