6 February 2014 Virtual Tasting – Southern Hemisphere Wines

Virtual Tasting – Southern Hemisphere Wines

February 6, 2014 By

South Hemisphere WinesLast night, I participated in a #WineChat event on Twitter. The featured wines were from the southern hemisphere, specifically New Zealand, Australia and Argentina. The three white wines were described as “Summer Sippers”.

I’ve explained the idea of virtual wine tastings in previous posts but for those of you who are new to virtual wine tastings, this is what the story is:

  • Get a bottle of the wine varietal or brand being featured.
  • Invite friends to share the wine and experience with you (or snuggle in your pajamas in front of the computer if you prefer).
  • Sip and share your thoughts about the wine(s) with other tasters around the world using the designated hashtag on Twitter and/or Facebook!

Here are my tasting notes from the three featured wines – Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, Graffigna Pinot Grigio from Argentina and Jacob’s Creek Reserve Riesling from Australia:

2012 Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio

Light in color with a hint of green. This is a light, easy drinking, sipping wine with a floral nose and a bright, fresh citrus palate. As the wine warmed up a bit, it developed tropical fruit flavors that I enjoyed.

Pairings: Delicate fish, seafood, served as an aperitif

Grape Type(s): Pinot Grigio

Region: Tulum Valley, Argentina

Price: $11

2013 Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc

For fans of cool label marketing, this is a winner. The bottle is just so pretty. This is the ultimate light wine, nearly clear in color in the bottle. There are light lemony and grassy aromas and ripe Meyer lemon flavors that finish on a zippy, zesty citrus note. At 88 calories per pour at 9% alcohol – bridal shower-ready wine.

Pairings: Serve as an aperitif or with a light salad

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Price: $15

2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

Pale greenish in the glass with a citrusy, light caramel nose. Big fruit, little jammy plum, nice minerality with a little oak. This isn’t your buttery oak bomb. I tend to like this lightly oaked style. Could be interesting with some cellaring.

Pairings: Spicy dishes (Thai, Indian, Mexican), pork  

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Region: Adelaide Hills, Australia

Price: $15

These three bottles were sent to me as samples and are being added to my repertoire.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Argentina, Australia, Chardonnay, Food & Wine Events, New Zealand, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
29 January 2014 2012 Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

2012 Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

January 29, 2014 By

2012 Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon BlancI’ve enjoyed Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc on lots of occasions as it’s such an easy-drinking, food-friendly white that most people like. It’s a perfect wine to have on hand for dinner parties as the price point is just right at around $13 and it pairs well with many lighter dishes or as an aperitif.

The aromas that pop out of the glass scream “Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc” – ripe tropical fruit with zesty citrus. I served this wine with slightly spicy crawfish etoufee and the Asian pear, Meyer lemon and grassy flavors came through with a bit of sweetness to cut through the spice.

Pairings: Seafood, fish and served as an aperitif.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Price: $13

 

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
13 August 2011 2010 Brancott Marlborough Pinot Noir

2010 Brancott Marlborough Pinot Noir

August 13, 2011 By

Loving a big mouthful of ripe cherries with velvety feel and a smooth finish, I’m naturally a huge fan of Pinot Noir.  The 2010 Brancott Marlborough Pinot Noir is not that kind of Pinot.  What it is, is a bright, light-bodied Pinot Noir showing pleasantly tart raspberries with a slightly smoky finish.  Do I enjoy this type of Pinot Noir from New Zealand?  Yes – with a roasted chicken sitting on my deck on a warm summer night!

This Marlborough New Zealand wine is a dark strawberry color in the glass with tons of brightness and fragrant rose aromas.

A Pinot Noir for summer.

Around $10.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
11 August 2011 2010 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc

August 11, 2011 By

This Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand displays what is typical of the region for this varietal – burst of bright fruit with a tangy finish.

I first sampled this Brancott Estate wine when it was really cold and some of its aromas and flavors were masked.  As it warmed up a bit, the nose was bright pink grapefruit.  For those wine drinkers who can’t easily identify aromas displayed by certain wines, the grapefruit is prominent and easy to pinpoint on this Sauvignon Blanc.  The citrus notes continue in the mouth with lemon and lime flavors that finish with zippy acidity.

Great summer white at a very affordable price point.

Around $12.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
5 July 2011 2009 Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir

2009 Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir

July 5, 2011 By

This Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand’s most acclaimed winemaking region, is a dark garnet color in the glass and offers a slightly spicy, stone fruits and ripe cherries nose.  In the mouth, I get tons of juicy, ripe dark raspberries and currents.

I served this affordable and approachable wine at my 4th of July party and it paired well with many of the dishes I was serving from blue cheese-topped sirloin burgers to sharp cheddar macaroni and cheese.

From around $14.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
8 June 2011 2010 Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

June 8, 2011 By

Paired this New Zealand white wine with some seared scallops and a shrimp salad and it was fabulous.  This Sauvignon Blanc is bright, young and fresh and perfect for any summer parties.

The nose on this pale green wine is citrusy – Meyer lemons and pink grapefruit.  On the palate, this isn’t your typical ultra-light Sauvignon Blanc but a bit more substantial wine with tart flavors of honeydew melons, key limes and other tropical fruits.  The finish is zesty, mouth-watering and medium in length with bright acidity.

Around $10.

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
12 March 2011 2009 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc

2009 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc

March 12, 2011 By

This affordable New Zealand wine is bigger and bolder than I anticipated.  On the nose, it’s ripe, caramelized ruby grapefruit.  The palate offers fresh-cut grass, Meyer lemon, juicy peach and passion fruit with spicy notes on the finish.  Nice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at a great price point.

90 Points Wine Spectator.

Around $11.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
29 January 2010 2007 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc

January 29, 2010 By
'07 Dog Point

’07 Dog Point

Not the limeade-watery Sauvignon Blanc typical of many affordable bottles.  This wine from Marlborough, New Zealand, is medium to full-bodied and offers pleasantly intense herbal and ripe fruit flavors.  This wine has a longish finish and some texture to it.

For fans of Cloudy Bay, this is perhaps a better wine and a must-try.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Price: $20

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

2008 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

October 25, 2009 By
2008 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

2008 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

I’ve purchased this Kim Crawford wine several times for casual dinners where I didn’t want to spend a ton of money but still wanted to enjoy a decent glass of wine. I wasn’t disappointed again last night when I uncorked, um, unscrewed, another bottle.

We paired this bottle with Thai food and found that it cut through the heat of the dishes well.  I typically buy Rieslings to pair with spicy food, but this Sauvignon Blanc stood up to the heat and provided a refreshing pale green mouthful of grassy lime.  I agree with the following review:

“Fragrant and complex, with a refreshing burst of lime, guava, grapefruit and grass flavors,” wrote Wine Spectator, awarding it 91 points. “Wet stone, passion fruit and oyster shell accents add interest, with bright acidity highlighting the vivid finish. Another outstanding Sauvignon from a perennial success. Drink now.”

For about $14 a bottle, this is a solid buy.  Pairs well with spicy foods, would be great with a light fish or with chicken, and can be found at most wine stores across the country.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Price: $14

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,