Entry 517, on 2007-04-22 at 21:07:42 (Rating 1, Activities)
I have mentioned some of my expensive hobbies (photography, computing, stereos, astronomy) in other blog entries but I don't think I've ever discussed another one which is wine. I tend to concentrate on New Zealand wines and take it fairly seriously: I write notes on every wine I taste and like to analyse the wine as well as just enjoying it.
The last two wines I have tried are examples of New Zealand's best varieties: a Central Otago Pinot Noir, and a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. It has really got to the point where its hard to find a bad New Zealand wine, the standard is just so good. Some of the more trendy styles are starting to push the prices up a bit (at least NZ$40 for a decent Pinot) but its still possible to get great Sauvignon Blancs quite cheaply, and some of the more under-rated styles, like Riesling, are really well priced.
So the wine I'm trying tonight is Saint Clair Marlborough 2006 Sauvignon Blanc (you don't have to age this style for it to be at its best) and it really is quite impressive (its a gold medal winner at the Air New Zealand wine awards).
The colour is an attractive very pale greenish gold. The bouquet is powerfully fruity, with plenty of gooseberry, tropical fruit and steely acid. The flavour is very intense with strong grassy capsicum and gooseberry fruit, with lots of acid balance. Its really impressive, complex and powerful, but also very approachable and fresh.
So there's my little rant about our great New Zealand wines. If you live outside of New Zealand see if you can get one because the best examples are superb!
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