December 2006

Sauvignon Blanc

The ‘blanc’ house
Say sauvignon blanc and many think of the great Pouilly-Fums and Sancerres from the Loire Valley in France or maybe the strikingly different New Zealand whites. As for California, well, heres what wine scribe James Laube had to say in Wine Spectators California Wines: sauvignon blanc comes in second behind chardonnay in terms of quality and popularity.

Christmas Crackers
Medium-Full Bodied, Dry, Ready, but will keep, Sauvignon Blanc, 13.5% alc. Vibrantly aromatic, the 2005 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is an exotic infusion of fresh ginger, sweet basil and lemongrass layered over ripe tropical and citrus fruits.

Historic Oak Valley launches flagship red blend
As their cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc 2005 receives two international accolades. This, for the time being, completes the Oak Valley range of premium wines that now comprises: Sauvignon Blanc; Sauvignon Blanc Mountain Reserve; barrel-fermented Chardonnay: Pinot Noir; and the Red Blend.

LIZ SAGUES looks at the highlights of a great year for wine buffs
In exuberant contrast is The Ned sauvignon blanc 2006 from river valley terraces New Zealand's Marlborough region (£6.70 until January 7 at Waitrose).

News of the vine
Similarly, Lake County, a smaller, lesser-known wine area northeast of Napa and Sonoma, boasts some decidedly inexpensive cabernets, zinfandels and other hot-climate grapes such as viognier and sauvignon blanc.

With dessert, choose sweets for the sweets
Apple, pear, peach, nectarine and apricot desserts: Sauternes, sweet chenin blancs and late-harvest Simillon and sauvignon blanc-based wines harmonize with the yellow-fruit flavors of desserts built around tree and stone fruits, such as apple pie, peach cobbler and apricot pastries.

Pioneer of NZ Sauvignon Blanc Stands Down
Marlborough winery Rapaura Vintners this week farewells from its board Ross Spence, the man responsible for bringing sauvignon blanc to New Zealand. Spence was the first person to grow and produce sauvignon blanc in New Zealand with the first commercial wine produced in 1974.

Wine of the week
All sorts of bright, crisp white wines pair well with oysters, but the best choice quite clearly is youthful, unoaked sauvignon blanc. And every year, the winner turns out to be a sauvignon blanc.

Stuff.co.nz
In the story of New Zealand wine there are winning combinations such as Gisborne and chardonnay, Central Otago and pinot noir, but our international success story is largely due to the magical marriage of Marlborough and sauvignon blanc. Matua's senior winemaker, Peter Munro, recently returned from a promotional tour of the United States and found "the Yanks can't seem to get enough of our sauvignon blanc.

Plonkapalooza brings out best wine under $10
A chardonnay from Argentina, Finca Los Primos, submitted by Maria Rosales at Wine Styles in Viera, took first place for the whites, while votes went to other imported grape varietals such as riesling, chenin blanc, pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc as well.

Giesen Wines – expanding to meet demand
Giesen Wines, one of New Zealands biggest producers of internationally renowned Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, has invested $3.5M expanding and upgrading its winery and tank capacity in Blenheim and established a new bottling and packaging plant in Christchurch. We cant keep up with demand for our Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the Australian market, in particular, is doing very well for us, says General Manager, Jim Veitch.

Snappy savvies to make your summer
In the story of New Zealand wine there are winning combinations such as Gisborne and chardonnay, Central Otago and pinot noir, but our international success story is largely due to the magical marriage of Marlborough and sauvignon blanc. Matua's senior winemaker, Peter Munro, recently returned from a promotional tour of the United States and found "the Yanks can't seem to get enough of our sauvignon blanc.

Get into spirit of Christmas
With smoked salmon you can sit a zingy Sauvignon Blanc with it and you should really look no further than New Zealand. With smoked salmon you can sit a zingy Sauvignon Blanc with it and you should really look no further than New Zealand.

Choose a perfect wine for the holidays
Whites: Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc from the esteemed New Zealand wine-producing region of Marlborough, and Jean Baptiste Adam Pinot Blanc from the Alsace.

PETER M. GIANOTTI
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. A crisp, flavorful, first-class New Zealand white. $17. 2004 Il Poggione Rosso di Montalcino. ...New! More ways to find the latest on Sauvignon-Blanc:

NZ sauvignon blanc pioneer bowing out
The man described as responsible for bringing sauvignon blanc to New Zealand, was last week farewelled by the board of Marlborough winery, Rapaura Vintners, ending his formal ties with the company. Mr Spence was the first person to grow and produce sauvignon blanc in New Zealand with the first commercial wine produced in 1974.

Supermarketguru.com
To really indulge, Chef Tuohy recommends Sauvignon Blanc from Dry Creek Valley or New Zealand.

Grape
Real riesling lovers to uniteGrape,South Africa- 5 hours ago... for whatever reasons, does not excite the general wine-drinking public anywhere near as much as, say, chardonnay or sauvignon blanc, although there have ...

VUE Weekly
I picked up the Carmenere one weekend and was really happy with its quiet, full flavour, so decided to spring the Sauvignon Blanc on my white wine-preferring bride.

SFist
Then picture them infused with Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Champagne.

NZ: Giesen Wines in NZ$3.5m investment
“We can’t keep up with demand for our Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the Australian market, in particular, is doing very well for us,” said general manager, Jim Veitch. The country’s wine industry buoyed by global demand for signature grape Sauvignon Blanc, has witnessed growing foreign investment in recent years.

Red Bordeaux
Light Bodied, Dry, Drink now, Sauvignon Blanc, 12% alc. This deliciously crisp wine made from Sauvignon Blanc is now bottled in screw caps to retain freshness.

Gifts from the shelf: Holiday wines around $10
To cover all your bases, you need a little bit of everything: cabernet sauvignon for beef dishes, pinot noir and shiraz for ham, chianti for pasta and casserole dishes, light whites like sauvignon blanc for sipping and starter courses.

Tapas give holiday a Latin beat
Sauvignon Blanc has been used for generations in France, and came to California in 1878.

Wineries in the American East: You aint seen nothin yet
While many obscure, cold-hardy grape varieties provided the early foundation for wineries in the East, and still do in some places, vintners are learning how to make the more popular European wines: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and of course, Riesling.

Merlot

New Wines this Week
Medium-Full Bodied, Dry, For laying down, Cab-Sauv/Merlot, 12.5% alc.

S. African adventures
For example, a Merlot from France would have a different flavour from a Merlot produced in South Africa.

LENNDEVOURS
two (2) people to take classes at Grand Cru Classes (4 classes total) One (1) bottle of Waters Crest Winery Reserve Merlot One (1) bottle of Waters C

Mind your merlot, please
Just a couple of weeks ago he said that at the time his biggest-selling wine was Bogle Merlot — $8.15 at Spec's, maybe a little more elsewhere. Boom — merlot was planted — overplanted — all over California, as well as southern France, Chile, etc.

Charles Olkens Connoisseurs Corner: No eulogies for merlot just ...
Merlot may not be the most popular grape these days, but its presence in Bordeaux and in California is based on the notion that it makes very tasty, accessible wine. That role, which mimicked merlot's place in France, could easily have qualified merlot for also-ran status here in California.

Lasagnas earthy flavors pair nicely with merlot
The pairing: Rex Goliath Merlot, $9, with Lasagna with Wild Mushrooms, Leeks and Gorgonzola. The lineup of earthy, rich flavors leaves the red wine cellar door wide open -- but our top pick is this fruity, affordable Rex Goliath Merlot.

Mickey will have the merlot
Will cats join their human owners in toasting the age-related development with a relaxing glass of merlot?

Winter 2006 Releases
Black cherries, dark chocolate, raspberries, plums and spice underscore this 75/25 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. 2003 Gloria Ferrer, Merlot, Carneros, California, $19, 1,800 cases.

Strong supply, weak demand a blow for merlot
California winemaker Chris Phelps lets his tongue decide when it's time to harvest merlot. But this harvest, merlot growers and producers have more to worry about than selecting the best grapes.

Im dreaming of a wine Christmas, for everyone on your list
And if Uncle Bill is not worthy of a $400 bubbly, perhaps a lovely merlot or syrah closer to $30 would be more appropriate. Merlot is a greatly undervalued wine these days, especially in the lower price ranges.

A new perspective on dining
“Let’s accept that most of my guests are North American and they come in and they ask for a glass of Merlot, but in their minds they are asking for an American Merlot,” he said.

The wine list
Syrah, duras and merlot grapes blend to create a smooth, velvety red wine.

Christmas Crackers
Medium-Full Bodied, Dry, Ready, but will improve, Cab-Sauv/Merlot, 12.5% alc. Medium-Full Bodied, Dry, For laying down, Cab-Sauv/Merlot, 13% alc.

Berrys'Own Selection
Blended predominantly from Merlot and Grenache, this hearty French red shows considerable personality and a surprising amount of structure. Medium Bodied, Dry, Drink now, Cab-Sauv/Merlot, 12% alc.

Tasting report from food, wine celebration
Another pleasant surprise was Alexander Valley Vineyards’ Merlot. Merlot comes in a couple of different styles and this one fits in the category that I like.

Vancouver North Shore News
Watch for the nicely berried and gently chocolate toned '04 Merlot, $13.99. Look no further than Chateau de Laussac 2003, a food-friendly Cotes de Castillon (70-30 Merlot-Cab) that's already drinking nicely from a warm vintage: lifted red berries on the nose, generous up-front fruit, quite complex palate with good grip and mineral notes.

De Krans Wine Cellar excels again
This is a blend between Merlot/Ruby Cabernet and Pinotage.

Palandri releases Cheer Pack wine
Over the next six months 15,000 cases each of Merlot, Shiraz and Chardonnay will be exported to Canada.

Merlot, Movies and Oil Tours
Timed to coincide with the beginning of the shopping crunch and the arrival of weather that drives people indoors, the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake have ...