New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Marathon!

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Marathon! – Episode #390

January 21, 2008

Gary gets serious and goes through a bunch of NZ sauv blancs!

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Comments on this episode(219) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: I havent had enough to really answer that, but I did have a Vil…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
“Best SB I had while I was in NZ (and I had quite a few) was Mount Rile…” by Charlie
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 Arona Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Tohu Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2007 New Harbor Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Chasing Venus Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc IconNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Discovery Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Kim Crawford Sauvignon BlancNew Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

219 Responses

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January 22, 2008

KNode
I’m a big fan of Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand! And actually, I think my favorite has been the 2006 Monkey Bay, and it was only $8!
January 22, 2008

NC Carl
Great Episode, gonna have to branch out and try some of these.

Qotd – Nobilo (non-Icon) the one and only New Zealand SB that was good enough to remember.
January 22, 2008

pomace
Love the “shootout” format!

QOTD: Isabel …2002
January 22, 2008

stewart l
QOD-Probably the 2006 Mahi S. Blanc
January 22, 2008

JeffC
Thanks GV, great show. Good selection of SBs. Hey, the Arona is already sold out?? Anywho QOTD: I have tried Cloudy Bay, Kim Crawford, Nobilo (lower end), Monkey Bay. By far the best Savignon Blanc from NZ that I have enjoyed over the past 2 or 3 years is from Bedford Road Estates, Marlborough. Beats Cloudy Bay, hands down. Price has been creeping up but still at least half the price of Cloudy Bay. Here is a link to their Website: http://www.bedfordroadestate.co.nz/default.asp

I buy locally in NC from retail shop Carolina Wine Co.
January 22, 2008

BelgianBeerMistress
QOTD: I can recall two I liked a lot. One was a Nobile – I think it was the more basic version. I don’t remember thinking it was similar to a Chardonnay, but it was darn tasty. I also like the Allan Scott – but that was my very first NZ SB so who knows if I’d like it as much today…

Thanks for doing this episode. I just checked my white wine inventory last night and it is pathetic. And I don’t have one SB! Time to refill…
January 22, 2008

Slushpuppy
The Mediterainan white wine from Spain is tasty and crisp. It has been our “house” white wine for a few years now. Still under $5.00 at Trader Joe’s.
January 22, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
When you made the Seinfeld reference then started talking about the marketing, the “Who was the marketing genius who thought that up “line got stuck in my head and I had trouble hearing any more of the episode. Cloudy Bay has been good but looking at my tasting notes for the last year, no NZ Sauvignon Blanc stuck out as great. I think this has become the Sideways Pinot Noir of NZ. too much is being made. Too little care is going into the production in order to get the bottles out of the door. My favorite SB aroma is cat pee and grapefruit/Kiwi and that seems to be missing from most of them. I have had all but one of these you tasted and only Arona came across as decent and a good value. I have not had the Chasing Venus but will grab some just to try it. By the way, I never saw any comment on the Webware 2.0 contest. Are you not interested in that award?
January 22, 2008

CHATrBox
Way to sling the grass today G!
January 22, 2008

Nathan L
QOTD: I’d have to say its a tie. I’ve posted on it many times but the Sunday Morning you recommended was phenomenal and probably the wine I’ve bought the most bottles of. The other is The Crossing from 2-3 years ago. Hasn’t been quite as good since and its 3 dollars more.
January 22, 2008

MtnCharlie
Nice marathon tasting episode.

QOTD: Most recent NZSB that I can remember is the Kim Crawford. My memory of it was that it was a tropical fruit and flower bomb. It made a really great addition to white sangria and added a lot of aroma to it.
January 22, 2008

Bernhard_K
QOTD: Sorry I have never tried one; But soon I will have the chance cause In 10 days I am flying to New Zealand… Yeah looking forward to it!!!
January 22, 2008

medo
Very goof show Gary! I love NZ SB, but I think Leyda Valley in Chile is bringing some serious thunder as well!

QOTD: 2006 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 4 SB !
January 22, 2008

Kevin C
QOTD: My first Kim Crawford 2002 Marlborough SB sold for about $8 back then. Liked it a lot and had heard how great Cloudy Bay was, so went out and forked over $17 and the Crawford was better at half the price. Love NZ SB and drink a lot throughout the summer
January 22, 2008

KingLurker
Thanx for the ep. very informative
January 22, 2008

italianwinelover
Wow lots of wines today! Made my head spin!!!! KEWL!

QOTD: Not a big fan of Sav Blanc but I did enjoy an Oyster Bay before. Grassy, grapefruit & cat pee all in one!
January 22, 2008

MB Dallas
QOTD: Lately, I’ve been liking the Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc (non Icon). It is nice at under $10. First drank this at a local place that makes great NY style pizza, and enjoyed the pairing.
January 22, 2008

Christopher J
Never had a SB from NZ. Good show, I will have to put it on my ‘things to try’ list.
January 22, 2008

Jayhitek
QOTD: Can’t remember the name. But it was damn good!
January 22, 2008

GalvezGuy
QOTD – 2006 Drylands SB – Classic fresh cut grass and grapefruit, laser acidity and tropical flavors (guava, pineapple) lush and heavy on the mouth for an SB without being sugared. Oh yeah, it was 10 bones.
January 22, 2008

Andy
QOTD– I guess it would be The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc …. always a well made wine.. Good wine with fresh shellfish (steamed,boiled,or baked)
January 22, 2008

J Crazy
QOTD: I’m going to be honest and say it was the Cloudy Bay from I think 2001 or 2.
I know you’re not a big fan of Cali Sauv’s but I know you liked the Turnbull Cab, have you had the SB? I quite liked it.

Psst…where is that “LINK IT UP, MOTT” T????!?!?!
January 22, 2008

JasonA
Back to being blocked at work again. Has been since Late Dec. And no trips to the parents lately to sponge off there high speed internet. So I basically read the replies to the shows and try to guess at the QOTD by there answers.

But I saw marathon and was thinking. Gary is tasting 26.2 NZ Sauvignon Blancs????? Sorry, training for my 2nd marathon so stuck on that whole 26.2 miles thing. But there did see there are plenty tasted here though.

So for QOTD, I have not had a NZ Sauvignon Blanc yet. I think I may have tasted two or 3 at a big wine tasting even last fall, but they were californians as far as I could remember. Still really big into reds with the cold weather here lately though.

Thanks again for your shows though Gary. Keep up the good work!!

jason
January 22, 2008

misswinegirl
qotd – Just had Wairau NZ SB and it was great. Kim Crawford is always a sure bet. Also liking Crossroads and Matua!

Just bought 18 bottles of SB from you over the holidays. Still enjoying them all! I will be doing a wine tasting with them at a wedding reception this weekend! I can’t wait!
January 22, 2008

agentorange
GV: First time post. Been watching for about 4 months.

QOTD: Love the NZSB. Giesen must produce a billion cases, which is good, ’cause I just might try and drink them all.