Varietal:Â 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region:Â New Zealand
Cost:Â $11 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes:Â Complex aromas of fresh asparagus, zesty green pepper, and sunshine-warmed box hedge are contrasted by lighter, brighter top notes of honeydew melon and juicy lime citrus. Made to be enjoyed while young and fresh; we recommend drinking this wine over the next 12 months.
My Review:Â Wow, it almost feels like I haven’t done one of these in forever since I’ve been so busy with formal tastings and the 2011 North American Wine Bloggers Conference, which is a shame because these really are why I started this site. Anyways, I digress.
I’d received the 2010 Nine Walks Sauvignon Blanc as a sample last month and while it had been sitting in my fridge, reminding me that it’s hot as hell outside in Virginia in July and that it would do a great job of taking the edge off the heat, I just didn’t quite get around to it. Finally this week I did.
The wine was darker in the glass than I expected, though that’s not to say it was weirdly dark – more of a dark straw color than anything. The nose was a bit light, with aromas of citrus and a hint of “green”, both of which carried through to the palate where I even got the lingering tease of effervescence.
Paired with a dinner of pesto tilapia and risotto with roasted red pepper and fresh basil it was a nice light, crisp, acidic counter note to the fish and risotto. Was this a life-altering/life-affirming wine? No, not even close. Was it a good value to keep around the house during the hot months for pairing with light meals or just enjoying on the deck? You bet.
If you’re a fan of New Zealand wines or are just looking for an affordable white wine to pour at your house during the hot months, you can do a lot worse than the 2010 Nine Walks Sauvignon Blanc, so it’s worth checking out.
