The French may have given the world the term terroir – the wonderful alchemy of influences from soil and aspect and climate and winemaking that creates the unique character of a wine – but on the other side of the world, New Zealand winemakers have found their own distinctive 'magic' place.
Tūrangawaewae (pronounced: too-runguh-why-why) means "my place" in Māori. It describes a uniquely New Zealand approach to winemaking that includes terroir but also embraces the surrounding landscape, the characteristic climate, and the history and spirit of a place and the people who make it their home. As a concept that expresses connectedness and belonging to the land, tūrangawaewae is a creative force that is producing exciting new styles of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
THE RISE OF A MODERN CLASSIC
New Zealand is no stranger to innovations in wine. It is the place where a humble vine that grows wild (sauvage) in southwest France became a wine world superstar. As the adventurous young winemakers who planted New Zealand's first Sauvignon vines in the 1970s discovered, a happy combination of ideal climatic conditions and skilful viticulture and winemaking transformed the sauvage qualities of the grape into the characteristic "green" aromas and mouth-filling tastes of classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Success at local and international wine competitions soon followed, along with a chorus of praise from international wine critics. By the early 1990s New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was established as the global benchmark for the style and now accounts for over 85% of wine exported from New Zealand. It is a remarkable success story that is celebrated around the world every year. May 5, 2017 marks the seventh International Sauvignon Blanc Day.
SAUVIGNON CLASSICS TO COME
Although Sauvignon Blanc is grown throughout New Zealand's 11 wine regions, the province of Marlborough is its undisputed heartland. Located in the South Island's northeast where broad alluvial plains rise from the coast and are sheltered by mountain ranges, Marlborough's long and steady cool-climate growing season creates Sauvignons with impressive aromas, distinctive fruit characteristics and extraordinary purity and intensity of flavours.
Like the rest of New Zealand, Marlborough's geographically diverse landscapes are spectacularly beautiful and bountiful, and wine touring here and in every region is enhanced by vibrant communities of artisan producers and excellent restaurants and cellar doors. As you visit world-famous makers of classic Sauvignon in Marlborough and beyond you will also encounter newer producers of emerging styles whose wines are often less overtly powerful but wonderfully complex in the glass. And they are still unmistakably "New Zealand".
This International Sauvignon Blanc day then, whether you're on the other side of the world or in a Kiwi cellar door, raise a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and experience the pure taste of New Zealand. And say: tūrangawaewae.
SEVEN SENSATIONAL NEW ZEALAND SAUVIGNON BLANCS
1. Map Maker Sauvignon Blanc 2015. A classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from the Wairau Valley sub-region. Aromas of passion fruit, fresh-cut grass and grapefruit. Rich, mouth-filling tastes of guava, blackcurrant and elderflower.
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc
2. Villa Maria Reserve Wairau Valley Marlborough Sauvignon 2016. An award winning Wairau Valley classic Sauvignon with flinty tones accompanying powerful fruit aromas, citrus and tropical fruit tastes.
Brancott Estate Food and Wine
3. From the poor, challenging soils of the cool, dry Awatere Valley sub-region of southern Marlborough emerge dramatic classic Sauvignons like Brancott Estate Terroir Series Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2016 - subtle aromas of limes, nettle and tomato leaves, citrus and passionfruit flavours.
4. Auntsfield South Oaks Barrel-Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2013. A textbook example of terroir from a Southern Valleys sub-region winery that continues the tradition of Marlborough's first vineyard established in 1873. Oak and lees ageing add to this wine's complexity.
Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc
5. Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2014 from esteemed winemaker, Kevin Judd, illustrates the cutting-edge complexity that is possible with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Made from Southern Valleys and Wairau Valley grapes it is aged in French oak and on the lees, and fermented with wild yeasts.
Kaimira Estate Sauvignon Blanc with chargrilled vege stack
6. Over the hills from Marlborough, the mild Nelson wine region produces Sauvignons with bright, pure-fruited flavours. A classic expression of its region, Kaimira Estate Brightwater Sauvignon Blanc 2015 tastes of fresh white fruit and herbs, and is certified organic.
Te Mata Cape Crest
7. Rich, tropical fruit flavours are a hallmark of Sauvignons from the Hawke's Bay region of the North Island. Barrel-fermentation and lees-ageing with a touch of Semillon and Sauvignon Gris make Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2014 a complex and layered experience.
Te Mata Sauvignon Gris for Cape Crest
How about you, what's your favorite sauvignon blanc?
Cheers and besos, Blair
My husband loves wine, got to share this with him.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jia, my Amore loves it too!
Deletelove to drink wines too. But i don't know how to difference them, used to study about it but forgot them all. :(
ReplyDeletePractice makes it perfect!
DeleteWow! You are such a wine expert. This is in my bucket list - to know more about wine and see if I'd love to include it in my lifestyle. Hehe.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joan! It's called passion!
DeleteSo, Sauvignon Blanc Day means celebration of wine day? Its a new term and info for me.
ReplyDeleteTime to celebrate Zayani! Cheers bella :)
DeleteWow, you do know your wines. I don't drink at all so these are like Greek to me. Haha!
ReplyDeleteIt's okay Emily, you can learn too! Keep on reading and tasting wines :)
DeleteHow I wish I can travel to New Zealand =(
ReplyDeleteOh you can soon! Am planning to visit again, so if the tourism board will invite me, I will never say no. :)
DeleteMy friends love to drink this wine.
ReplyDeleteI think this is her favourite.
What's your favorite wine Ika?
DeleteI love wine!!!Last time stay at New Zealand, almost everyday drink wine!!
ReplyDeleteOMG That's dream! Then stay in a warm bubble bath!
DeleteI haven't drank wine for many years. This wine tasting looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, it is not enjoyable when you drank the wine. You have to savor every sip. :)
DeleteI drink lots of wine, so I will be sure to check out New Zealand wines. They sound really good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dear! Do tell me what's your most favorite NZ wine :)
DeleteI am not a wine drinker but these do sound tasty. My husband would love to taste these wines.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting! Wine is also good for our healthy. But just drink it moderately.
DeleteI think it's awesome that you're sharing all of these details about New Zealand's Sauvignon. It would be nice to go to New Zealand and tour their wineries.
ReplyDeleteI know right! Am actually winking New Zealand Tourism and hope they would invite me for the possible wine tour. I will be a happy gal :)
DeleteWow, you must really know your wines. I have never tried any of those kinds, but enjoy hearing about them.
ReplyDeleteHey Crystl, thank you for visiting!
DeleteAt first wine is quite tricky, but as you go by and continue learning about it, you will find the best wine for you.
We eat a lot of fish, which pairs perfectly with Sauvignon Blanc. I had no idea it had its own special day, but I am more than happy to celebrate with a glass or two!
ReplyDeleteActually, everyday should be a Sauvignon Day, cheers!
DeleteOooooso many yummy wines!! There are several that I haven't tried! I will have to fix that and buy a few bottles
ReplyDeleteMe too! still learning the craft here but, you see its never too late for us!
DeleteThese all look amazing! We are really into a Sangria Rose right now.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool! Have you blog about it?
DeleteI love wine and I also love wine tasting! I can't wait to have a glass of wine after I have my baby. :) The wines featured on your post look and sound really good!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer! What is your favorite wine? Do you also collect?
DeleteI don't drink often but I do love a good wine once in a while. I'm not sure if I have tried andy New Zealand's wines but I would love to try the Villa Maria Reserve Wairau Valley Marlborough Sauvignon 2016.
ReplyDeleteThat would be nice. New Zealand wines are also good to my taste :)
DeleteThis is a very interesting read. I am not a drinker so I will have to make sure to keep this great list for reference.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nicole. You can share it to your wine lover friends, and help them widen their knowledge for wines.
DeleteNew Zealand wine is smooth especially the white wine. A good quality wine.
ReplyDeleteI agree Betty! Yesterday I've got two bottles of Kaimira from a friend :) Am a happy lady :)
DeleteI love wines. I haven't had in from NZ but I would love to try some if I get to go that way!
ReplyDeleteYou'll gonna like it too! Thanks for visiting :)
DeleteOh yes, it has been a while since i last attended wine tasting session. Would be good to so again.
ReplyDeleteHello Kelly,
DeleteI did recently during the IFEX 2017 and I've tasted new locally produced wine here in the Philippines. And its amazing how much many selections they have. I guess Philippines will start to be known as local wine makers.
I've never been much for wine, although I've been to several wine tastings! I do love to learn about different cultures though so this was very interesting. I'll have to share with my step-mom who grew up on a vineyard... she loves to learn about different wines!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Betsy. What is your favorite wine?
DeleteHow did I miss International Sauvignon Blanc Day?! haha. NZ Sauvs are my favourite by far~
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome Cassie!
DeleteMy fav is Villa Maria. It's distinct flavour and texture just sets in mind for a long time.
ReplyDeleteWow! I want to visit the vineyard of New Zealand.
DeleteI had no idea that May 5 was International Sauvignon Blanc Day. I personally am more of a red wine fan myself.
ReplyDeleteSame here. But recently am learning to like some white wines :)
DeleteI am not a wine expert but I do love wine. I remember a friend who is an expert, he knows from which type of wood the wine has been stored. He can identify the different color of every bottle of wine while the rest of us see the same color. Haha.
ReplyDeleteYeah I have a friend who is a wine expert too. Same as you, I just love drinking wine. Period.
DeleteWe're wine lovers at our house, especially in the summer months. We love dates to our local wineries. Your post was fun to read, not just for the wine picks, but also a bit of history. I had no idea Sauvignon Blanc accounts for 85% of the wine exported from New Zealand! Can't wait to give your picks a try! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Alison :)
DeleteI guess I didn't really know New Zealand was so keen on wine! Sounds like I need to expand my horizons!
ReplyDeleteMore reason to book our flight to New Zealand.
DeleteI'm italian and I love wines, but I always end up drinking european wines. Glad I checked your post out, I'm really curious to try a few of your suggestions. I'm sure they taste amazing!
ReplyDeleteHello Andrea,
DeleteI learn to enjoy wine because of my Amore.. He is Italian too!
The Map Maker Sauvignon Blanc 2015 looks like a fantastic appetizer wine
ReplyDeleteI agree! It was just a bummer because it was out-of-stock when I checked my favorite wine store.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand are also very aggressive to promote their country not only as a touristic place, but also a place to live in.
DeleteIn New Zealand, cows have outnumbered the residents.