The perfect warm weather party wine?

Thursday, April 30, 2009

As we come into warmer weather, I'm enjoying firing up the gas grill and enjoying some time outside. I tend to choose wines seasonally rather than pairing them specifically with the food we're eating, and this spring in particular, two varieties that really seem to have a lot of buzz are Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

When I think of Sauvignon Blanc, quite a few good regions come to mind. France (Sancerre- read more here from RJ's Wine Blog), California, and New Zealand all produce strong wines from the Sauvignon Blanc grape.

The 2008 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough is a fantastic example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It is also:

  • Readily available thanks to massive 175,000 case production
  • Consistent across vintages- 92, 91, and 91 point ratings for the last 3 vintages according to Spectator
  • Quite affordable if you shop around
Here are my tasting notes:

2008 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough (4/18/2009)
For me, this is the definitive benchmark Sauvignon Blanc. Lemon zest and fresh cut grass on the nose. Tons of flavor on the palate along with some nice minerality. Crisp without being tangy. A *great* summer wine. So consistent over the last few vintages. Distinctive and recognizable. Back up the truck. (90 pts.)


Posted from CellarTracker



Where to buy:
Keep in mind- there is no additional tax on wine in MA.

Fun facts:
If you like this one, you might also enjoy this outstanding 96 point/$29 California Sauvignon Blanc.

Question of the Day: What are some of your favorite summer party wines?

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