2 Guys Uncorked – Wine Reviews & Wine Blog - Making Wine Fun and Easy

Over the past 20 years, wine production in the Southern Hemisphere has blown up. Australia and New Zealand recognized this trend early and have seen massive success (who hasn’t had Yellowtail or Cloudy Bay?). So, given all this hype, 2 Guys Uncorked brings you a multi-part series on “Down Under.” This week, 2GU looks at New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. New Zealand is a spectacular country, from its mythical “Lord of the Rings” landscapes to its fantastic people.

The dominant white wine grape in New Zealand is Sauvignon Blanc. It loves the temperate, coastal climate of New Zealand and definitely displays the unique “terroir” (flavors, aromas and sensations in the wine reflective of the unique growing conditions including soil make-up, rainfall, sun-exposure, etc.).

I have been in love with Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand since I first tried it…. so unique and quirky, yet solid. My first bottle was a Giesen Sauvignon Blanc (unfortunately not available at TJ’s or WFs), but over the years I have discovered a number of outstanding bottles. Luckily, TJ’s and WFs have a great selection of these fantastic wines.

Here are our New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs of the week:

• 2007 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc: A thrilling blend of crisp acidity and distinctive fruit and vegetal flavors packed into a $14 bottle!

• 2006 Spinyback Nelson Sauvignon Blanc: Huge grassy flavors with a backbone of tropical fruit. This bottle defines a new style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

• 2006 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc: It’s got a more graceful balance of acidity, fruit and grass than the Kim Crawford of the Spinyback. 2GU loves this wine so much that it was our first “Best Buy”!

• 2007 King Shag Sauvignon Blanc: All the great attributes of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in an $8 bottle.