White Wine Fakin Malvazija 2021. No need to decant. The Fakin family business is located in Croatia, on the Istrian peninsula, with vineyards spread over 30 hectares including several micro-localities. The particular microclimate and the configuration of the hilly terrain enhance the grapes’ minerality, freshness, and expressive characteristics of Istrian varieties such as Malvasia Istarska, Terrano, and Muskat. The young winemaker, Marko Fakin, considered by experts to be a promise of the Croatian and international wine scene has already won various competitions and awards with his wines which are widely recognized and appreciated all over the world. Malvasia Fakin is an irresistibly fresh wine, with green notes, almost herbaceous at first. Then the wine is dominated by hints of citrus and yellow fruit, together with some nuances of hazelnut and honey that also return to the palate. The finish is generally mineral, with a slight varietal bitter note. It is a medium-bodied, well-balanced and round wine that leaves the impression of a certain fullness typical of Malvasia grapes harvested at full maturity. Serve it cold and enjoy it with oysters, mussels, rabbit, fish carpaccio or ceviche, white fish tartare, sushi, grilled white fish, grilled chicken, asparagus risotto and vegetarian tarts.
2021
White Wine Fakin Malvazija 2021
White Wine Framingham Classic Riesling 2021. This captivating dry Riesling opens with inviting aromas of Meyer lemons, jasmine and mandarins, while the palate offers a crisp acidity and enchanting apricot, white peach and grapefruit flavours. The vibrant personality and salty minerality make this an ideal partner for seafood like oysters and prawns or spicy Asian dishes. The Framingham Classic Riesling is crafted from some of New Zealand’s oldest Riesling vines which date back to 1981 when the estate was founded by an engineer from Wellington, Rex Brooke-Taylor. The team select grapes from different plots in the Wairau Valley in Marlborough to capture a snapshot of the variety’s diverse flavour and aroma characteristics. The grapes are all picked by hand to ensure they arrive at the winery in optimum condition. The team ferments the must in stainless steel to preserve the natural freshness and aromatics before leaving the wine to mature on the lees for almost a year. They also age a small proportion in used oak barrels to add extra body and complexity. The final blend is then made by the head winemaker and the wine is bottled using screwcaps to preserve the clean and crisp nuances of the Riesling.
2021
White Wine Framingham Sauvignon Blanc 2021. This delicious Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc opens with crisp aromas of citrus, grapefruit and hints of smoke. The first sip reveals a bright acidity, medium body and intense flavours of papaya, melon and fresh herbs. Try pairing with light dishes like leafy salads, grilled fish and asparagus risotto to showcase the aromatic character of the variety. The grapes used to craft this wine are harvested from seven different plots in Marlborough and the grapes from each area are vinified separately. Framingham ferment a small proportion of the wine in oak barrels to add extra complexity and body while the remainder is fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged on the lees for six months before the final blend is decided and the wine is bottled. The Framingham winemaking philosophy centres around crafting wines that they themselves want to drink, an approach which has quickly put this boutique Marlborough winery on the map. To preserve the estate’s vineyards for generations to come the team manage the vines according to a low impact approach and carry out the majority of the work by hand. Their land is also certified as organic with BioGro NZ Ltd and the estate is accredited as sustainable.
2021