Cloudy Bay enjoys legendary status in the UK, fetching prices a notch above those commanded by other New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs (although you are more likely to find it on the shop shelf than you would have a few years back). I guess the label has something to do with it, and the fact that [...]
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I’m getting quite enthused about South African whites of late. Especially the white blends. Here are two very good wines, both made by winemaker Ian Naude. One is a blend of different varieties; the other a blend of different regions. Naude 2008 Western Cape, South Africa Gabrielle Simmers first release from her Hawkes Bay vineyard raised some eyebrows when she poured it at the Bunch tasting today. It is one of the most distinctively packaged wines that I’ve encountered, bottled in clear glass and sealed with a crown cap, and just the name ‘&CO’ on the front label. The wine itself is [...] Given the climate of the Western Cape, South African Sauvignon Blanc shouldn’t be up to much. But the proof is in the wines, which are frequently very good. This is a nice example, distinctively packaged. Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Western Cape, South Africa Montana’s Sauvignon Blanc is almost always a benchmark example of the Marlborough style, made in large quantities (so you can find it everywhere) and sold at an affordable price. I tried the 2009 version alongside the 2009 Reserve. Asda’s pricing, where both are on the shelf, is hard to understand. The regular Montana Sauvignon Blanc 2009 [...] I reckon the average quality of Sauvignon Blanc is improving all the time. Here are three serious examples from across the globe, all of which are a bit different, but thoroughly enjoyable. Dourthe Grande Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Bordeaux If you like your Sauvignon Blancs big, aromatic, and in your face, this could be just the wine for you. I was impressed by it. I find South African Sauvignon Blanc a bit hit and miss, because many winemakers there seem to be obsessed with getting as much methoxypyrazine (the chemical in slightly unripe grapes [...] A few days ago I posted on the £4 Southbank Estate Marlborough Sauvignon, and how this sort of price cutting was potentially damaging for brand New Zealand, even if it is a great deal for consumers. I spoke to Elizabeth Ferguson at Southbank Estate’s UK agent Mentzendorff to find out the background to this story. Asda warned [...] Popped into Asda today and scanned their wine range. Surprised to see this wine at £4. It’s a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Southbank Estate. From the back label: ‘Marlborough, sitting at the north-eastern point of the South Island, is New Zealand’s home of vivid Sauvignon Blanc, our world-renowned white wine.’ Now this Southbank isn’t one of [...] |
 This is the blog of wine journalist Jamie Goode, online since 2001. Feel free to nose around; your comments are welcomed.
 
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