White Wine Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2021. As soon as you pour out a glass of this delicate New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc you’ll be struck by the enticing pale straw hue and uplifting aromas of lemon zest, passionfruit, and grapefruit. The first sip reveals a bright acidity, an elegant light texture, and vibrant citrus, peach, and melon flavours which linger on the tongue. The ethereal structure and vibrant freshness make this an ideal partner for salads, grilled Mediterranean vegetables, and fragrant and spicy Asian dishes like pad thai. The grapes for this classic Sauvignon Blanc are sourced from three different vineyard sites in Marlborough; the Waihopai vineyard, Awatere vineyard and the Charles Wiffen plot. These sites have been carefully chosen by the winemaking team at Lawson’s because they offer perfect conditions for growing exceptional Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The team also works to high environmental standards and is certified under the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand organisation to preserve the land in the best possible state for the generations to come. Each vineyard is only harvested at optimum maturity to ensure the finished wine is as delicious as possible. To enhance the natural beauty of the grapes, a small proportion is fermented using wild yields which adds extra complexity to the final blend.
2021
White Wine Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2021
White Wine Marani Kondoli Vineyards Mtsvane – Kisi 2021. Marani’s headquarters can be found nestled in Georgia’s wine-making heartland, Kakheti in the Alazani River Valley. Telavi Wine Cellar has been at work for over a century, merging respect for history with a healthy dose of innovation since 1915. Marani’s largest and most varied vineyard is located in Kondoli. Here, small tracts are dedicated to international varieties of fruit, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling, but the lion’s share is planted with native Georgian varietals. These include the exquisite Mtsvane and Kisi, mingling together in this gorgeous dry white. Bursting with both the rich tropical fruitiness of Kisi and the natural freshness of Mtsvane, this blend is a marriage made in heaven. Fruits were grown on loamy soil over limestone bedrock, before being carefully plucked and sorted by hand. A bouquet of flower blossoms, tender plums, and pineapple comes forth, combined with a delectable mouthfeel. The distinct characteristics of both grapes pop out on the long finish – a citrus bite from Mtsvane and the soft flavours of peach and nectarine from Kisi. Well paired with some grilled fish, roasted vegetables, or poultry.
2021
White Wine Markus Huber Terrassen Gruner Veltliner 2021. Serve well chilled. Young winemaker Markus Huber has already made a name for himself with a string of international awards including the Falstaff Winemaker of the Year” which is widely regarded as the Oscars of the Austrian wine industry. His wines are now sold in over 50 countries, communicating the brilliance of both his winemaking and the exceptional terroir of the Traisental Valley to wine lovers all over the globe. Austria’s most important grape variety is Gruner Veltliner, and this example from Huber is a modern classic with plenty of crisp freshness and finesse. The grapes for this bottling are grown organically in selected single vineyard plots where the vines are up to 80 years old. After harvesting the fruit is then crushed with 6 hours of skin contact followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The young wine is then aged on the lees for 3 months to add polish and complexity. Ginger, aromatic herbs, citrus and spice define the nose while the first sip reveals a bright acidity balanced by a smooth texture and pure, clean finish. This is a great wine to serve as a refreshing aperitif or partner for grilled fish, sushi, seafood, or spicy Asian salads and curries.
2021