GV great show I don’t think i have a favorite NZ SB. But i will have to pick one up…

QOTD: So far all I have had is the Kim Crawford…….but I have had so South African SB’s that are good……

QOTD: So far all I have had is the Kim Crawford…….but I have had so South African SB’s that are good……

QOTD: I’ve only had Cloudy Bay and I thought it was VERY good.

I read a few comments that didn’t seem to jazzed on the NZ SB’s. I must say, it is not my favorite category, but it has its place on a very hot day.

QOTD- Nautilus. I love Loire whites, and you must provide the minerals to intrigue me from NZ.

QOTD: I still haven’t met one I would go back too on a regular basis.

QOTD: Huia or Seresin

QOTD: Huia or Seresin

QOTD: Not sure I want to call anything my favorite all-time, but I had a 2006 Craggy Range on Christmas Eve that was outstanding and I would love to drink again.

Question: When you say “razor-sharp”, do you mean high acidity? a clean acidic finish? focused aromas?

Can a wine be razor sharp and yet complex?

QOTD: Never tried a NZ Sauv Blanc. I have tried one Sancerre: an 06 Carrou. It was pricey ($13/half). I was puzzled because I got no grapefruit/grass (save a hint) and mostly nuttiness. It smelled good, but one-dimensional. It was dry, but really creamy on the palate – good body. I wondered if it was oaked, it was so creamy. They said it wasn’t though. Hopefully the next one will have some mineral qualities.

Liked the rant about paying attention to the wine. It made me think about how I’m doing with refining my tasting. It seems like my learning happens in leaps and bounds – I’ll be in the same place for a while, then I’ll finally be able to pay attention to a new aspect of the experience. Take the midpalate aromatics – I just copied your “bird sounds” for a while, though I couldn’t quite focus on the flavors, then one day I really got a good “whiff” of the wine while it was in the mouth, and a lightbulb clicked! Learning to taste wine is like learning to write with your toes – we’re just not used to using our nose and palate that way!

One thing I never do, however, is look at the wine first. I don’t want to bias my taste/smell, since we tend to rely on sight more than the other two. Also, my dear friend with whom I usually taste is blind, so I feel it’s partly out of respect to her. Which reminds me. Huge props to Michel Chapoutier for the braille labels! That is one trend that should really be spreading to more wineries.

Question: When you say “razor-sharp”, do you mean high acidity? a clean acidic finish? focused aromas?

Can a wine be razor sharp and yet complex?

QOTD: Never tried a NZ Sauv Blanc. I have tried one Sancerre: an 06 Carrou. It was pricey ($13/half). I was puzzled because I got no grapefruit/grass (save a hint) and mostly nuttiness. It smelled good, but one-dimensional. It was dry, but really creamy on the palate – good body. I wondered if it was oaked, it was so creamy. They said it wasn’t though. Hopefully the next one will have some mineral qualities.

Liked the rant about paying attention to the wine. It made me think about how I’m doing with refining my tasting. It seems like my learning happens in leaps and bounds – I’ll be in the same place for a while, then I’ll finally be able to pay attention to a new aspect of the experience. Take the midpalate aromatics – I just copied your “bird sounds” for a while, though I couldn’t quite focus on the flavors, then one day I really got a good “whiff” of the wine while it was in the mouth, and a lightbulb clicked! Learning to taste wine is like learning to write with your toes – we’re just not used to using our nose and palate that way!

One thing I never do, however, is look at the wine first. I don’t want to bias my taste/smell, since we tend to rely on sight more than the other two. Also, my dear friend with whom I usually taste is blind, so I feel it’s partly out of respect to her. Which reminds me. Huge props to Michel Chapoutier for the braille labels! That is one trend that should really be spreading to more wineries.

QOTD: Not being a big white wine fan, I discovered NZ Sauv. Blanc just a few years ago. I like Nobilo Regional Collection (the less expensive ones). I like the 2004 the best, followed by 2005 then 2006 (hope that’s not a trend). It’s a great wine for a warm, sunny Northwest summer day.

BIg line up!
QOTD – Probably Kim Crawford…….don’t drink that many. I am the guy who drinks them mostly in summer….. I know…I am working on it!

Forgot one thing on earlier post…A good read is Eric Arnold’s First Big Crush–about a year in NZ with Allan Scott. It’s pretty raunchy, but I liked the detail he provides about everything from how they decide what canes to prune to the actual making of the wine.

QOTD: Probably the 2006 Silver Birch.

Good episode but I am very deficient in my Sauvgnon Blanc tasting. I have to make a concerted effort to try more.

QOTD: Don’t think I’ve ever even had one from NZ. I have a project now.

wow GV you’re all “grassed” out!….. qotd 2004 White Haven – Had a unique peach nose – grass in the background and a nice citrus finish….

wow GV you’re all “grassed” out!….. qotd 2004 White Haven – Had a unique peach nose – grass in the background and a nice citrus finish….

QOTD: Still fairly new and unfortunately I haven’t had an opportunity to try a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc yet. Will definitely try soon.

QOTD: So far, Babich is my favorite. I have a Cloudy Bay in the cooler that I haven’t had yet.

I’m definately in favor of these episodes with a good selection of similar wines. Keep up the good work.

GO….G-MEN

QOTD: I would have to say that beyond any other that I have ever had…the 2005 Matua Pareti Estate Sauvignon Blanc was spectacular. It was very precise and was the first Sauvignon Blanc to really turn my head from New Zealand. My first Sauvignon Blanc from America that tripped my trigger was Patricia Green.

Unfortunately not a Sauv Blanc fan. Actually, not much of a white wine drinker. Could probably count the bottles drunk on two hands. No…..make that three or four fingers. I did purchase a couple of bottles of torrontes today based on last weeks show, but was unable to find a bonarda. I do know I need to expand into the whites, and by golly, I’m gonna try. Having said this, I did enjoy, as always, the show.

Not much of a Sauvignon Blanc fan, but always willing to give it another chance. Gary, thanks for recording an episode that airs when you are out of the office. Keep the daily fixes coming.

Great show – love the marathons!

QOTD – I really love NZ SB. Enjoyed the 2006 Kim Crawford but the 2006 Mahi was tops. Have a case of the 2007 Mahi, very good but not quite as good as the 2006.

Great show – love the marathons!

QOTD – I really love NZ SB. Enjoyed the 2006 Kim Crawford but the 2006 Mahi was tops. Have a case of the 2007 Mahi, very good but not quite as good as the 2006.