It can be very difficult to find the best white wine since there are literally hundreds of brands out in the market. One brand that stand out is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which has a taste that can be primarily described as sharp, bright, and fresh. Any wine enthusiast will surely appreciate this wine at first glance, but the majority of those people will have no actual idea why this is so.
In this guide, I’ll reveal the hidden information that makes Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc different and why the rest of the world values it. You will be exposed to some of the things that make these wines worth trying by knowing basic facts about their climate, price and their methods of production.
Read on to learn more about this fantastic wine, its background, and how selecting the right Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc can improve your meal.
What is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc?
Persistent citrus, lime, passionfruit, fresh herb boysenberry, and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc boast an intense palate that is both high acidity and deeply fruity. This wine is markedly different from its French counterparts from the Loire Valley, which tend to exhibit more refined, rather austere, mineral characteristics.
This wine’s refreshing zest is a true reflection of Marlborough’s cool, maritime climate with longer sunlight hours that help to maintain grapes’ natural acidity in addition to aromatic compounds.
The History of Wine in Marlborough
It was at the very early 1970s that Marlborough’s wine industry emerged when a few farmers became conscious of the possibility of wine production on stony soils and cool climate that characterized that region.
Sauvignon Blanc got put on the international map following the 1985 Cloudy Bay, which offered a taste of something so new and exciting that New Zealand wines were effectively anointed a place on the world stage overnight.
Why Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Stands Out?
This is what gives Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc its zesty character, and it is all thanks to the region’s environment. Light, cool evenings and warm days, together with a large daily temperature variation, delay grape ripening; therefore, the flavours mature at the same time as the acidity.
Winemaking Techniques in Marlborough
These are traditional and innovative approaches, which are used in Marlborough, the area with special types of wine, that focus on the quality of the grapes and comply with the individual characteristics of wine types. Here are some key winemaking techniques used in Marlborough:
Night Harvesting
- Purpose: Picking grapes in the evening is much better because, during the day, grapes’ bouquets and other useful qualities can deteriorate because of the heat.
- Benefit: This technique also helps overcome problems of oxidation and spoilage since the cooler temperatures retard processes that cause deterioration.
Temperature-Controlled Fermentation
- Purpose: Regulating the temperature during fermentation also gives winemakers a chance to control the rate at which the yeast is fermenting sugar in the grapes into alcohol in order to preserve certain flavorful compounds and flavours from being produced.
- Benefit: This type of control can minimize the disruption of the varietal characteristics, thus reaching the intended value add instead of flooding it and causing an unclear trend.
Use of Stainless Steel Tanks
- Purpose: Fermentation and storage vessels are made from stainless steel in order to eliminate any possibility of external taste interferences such as those introduced by wooden casks; thus, the fruit character is clearly expressed.
- Benefit: These tanks are also far easier to keep clean and free from contamination, and they also lend themselves to temperature control far more easily.
Exploring Top Varieties and Brands
1. Matua Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
As New Zealand’s first label to commercially produce Sauvignon Blanc, Matua captures the classic Kiwi wine in its bottle. It boasts layers of melon, citrus and herbals and is simply one of the most reliable and consistent whiskies on the market.
2. Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Indeed, Oyster Bay varieties are characterized by fabulous fruit flavours and a noticeable degree of aromatic intensity. Their Sauvignon Blanc – fun, fruity and zesty – is the epitome of Marlborough’s appeal to the tastebuds.
3. Villa Maria
Launched in 1961, Villa Maria is a popular New Zealand wine producer that currently produces the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc. The brand commits to sustainability and, more importantly, sources grapes from across the Marlborough subzones that paint the region in a rich palette of different microclimates.
4. Kim Crawford
Everything began in 1996 when Kim Crawford won the international fame with the wine that had an exquisite aroma of a perfectly mature Sauvignon Blanc. The brand captures specific attributes of the subzones of Marlborough and presents the wines with abundant acid and sugar levels that will be useful to all consumers of wine.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Price Guide
Understanding Price Variations
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is sold for different prices depending on the vineyard it comes from, brand recognition, and year of production. Its starting point is $15 and represents wines of incredible quality, while the best quality of production characterizes wines for over $30.
Where to Buy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
This wine is sold through various outlets worldwide in different areas of retailer outlets. People can get it from nearby wine shops, supermarkets, or through many online stores that offer the best prices and the best collections.
Why People Love Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand ?
People who like wine, in particular, recommend Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as it has a perfect harmony with food with their scallop or Asian dishes since its acidity is high, and the taste is rather bright. Apart from being used as a beverage base for the preparation of various beverages, it is also taken neat in warm weather.
Pairing Ideas and Occasions
Casual Gathering
At a house party, for instance, you could pair the wine with BBQ’d freshwater prawns or grilled seared scallops. Wines and natural seafood do not involve any complicated processes, and consumers highly appreciate the natural taste of both products.
Dinner Party
If you decide to serve chilled wine, during dinner party, especially red wine than it will be better to add dishes with goat cheese to the meal, for example, goat cheese salad, or goat cheese tart. This cheese perfectly complements the wine: the inherent tang of the cheese simply accentuates the tang in the wine.
Spicy Theme Night
For an evening based on spicy meals, it is recommended to consume chilled wine with spicy dishes on the table. Because it is cold and has a refreshing taste, it helps reduce the spiciness from meals such as Thai curries or even Szechuan stir fry, to name but a few.
Conclusion
What Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc really is is a wine that represents what New Zealand has been doing in terms of viticulture for the past several years. The wine boasts of its complex flavour profile and invigorating natural minerals taste, making it a gourmet choice of white wine in the world.
When you know the history, learn the distinctions of its geographic provenance, and experience the tier-one producers, you can value the essence of this wine. For the professional in wine or one who is just beginning to understand the art of wine, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is a special experience.
FAQs
Is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Good?
Yes, it is one of my favourites because of its relatively illuminated and fresh taste and for maintaining quality standards.
Is Marlborough Wine Exclusively from New Zealand?
Yes, Marlborough is the part of New Zealand that makes wine, especially the excellent Sauvignon Blanc.
Why are New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs So Good?
Due to the good climate, the new winemaking technologies, and the particular attention paid to the worthy quality of the wines, New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are among the most flavorful and qualitative win
