In-Store Tasting 4/8

Thursday, April 8th, 2010 will feature some great oldies and a few newbies.
-Calico Rose is from the producer Bergevin Lane, in Washington state. A savory choice for salads and pink food, like salmon.
-Engineer Allan Scott and his wife had a dream. When he retired, they started Allan Scott Wines utilizing his predilection for details and his wife's passion for panache. His sauvignon blanc is a fine example of how delicious Marlborough wines can be.
-Evohe Garnacha is an old vine offering of this spicy red grape. Try it with tomato meat sauce with black olives.
-Pares Balta Mas Elena is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. This organic red is elegant and complex.

Some great Oldies and Newbies
Calico Rose $10.49
90 points The Tasting Panel 2009
Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc $14.99
Evohe Garnacha $12.99
89 points Steven Tanzer
Pares Balta Mas Elena $19.99
Organic red blend

Read about New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Buy 6 - Get the 7th Free

Libations is now open on Sunday
11:00am to 6:00pm

Libations has a new rewards program!

Coupons!

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

There are many icons in the wine world. Carbonated wine from the region of Champagne has become the measure for all sparkling wine, so much so many have tried to borrow the regional name for their label. Bordeaux has been the king of cabernet sauvignon and merlot for over one hundred and fifty years. Burgundy cornered the market on pinot noir and chardonnay over a thousand years ago. Recently, a frozen three hundred and fifty year old fur trapper was found in the Alps. In his possesion were bottles of Burgundy.
      Tempranillo rules the Iberian Peninsula. Each area has its own regional name for the grape. The locals insist it is a different tempranillo than the one grown in the next town. Sangiovese is the reigning grape of Chianti, but is grown in states other than Tuscany as well. Like tempranillo, its colloquial names claim authenticity and stature.
      The old world has had centuries to define and polish their icons. The new world has only been participating in the global market for around a hundred years. In this short time it has created some notable offerings of its own. Some of these wines have even rivaled their competitors, the benchmarks of Europe.
      One of the biggest success stories is that of Marlborough, New Zealand. Marlborough is on the northern tip of the lush South Island. It is a sunny region cooled by ocean breezes. Its ability to grow sauvignon blanc brought it to the forefront of new world wines. Many consider sauvignon blanc from Marlborough to be the best example of this zesty, refreshing variety.
      Bordeaux, Sancerre, and Pouilly Fume were the European regions known for their sauvignon blanc production through history. Bordeaux blanc is about one quarter of this region's total production. Sancerre and Pouilly Fume in the Loire Valley created sought-after versions of this grape. Now, they must share the limelight with another version of sauvignon blanc, the one from Marlborough.
      New Zealand wines had a difficult start. A national prohibition restricted wine production when the rest of the new world was planting their first phylloxera resistant vinifera vines. Shipping was a problem, which made wine from New Zealand rare and expensive. But once the rest of the world tasted New Zealand sauvignon blanc it had an instant audience. Finally, New Zealand sauvignon blanc started arriving on our shores in large quantities at a reasonable price point.
      Once these sauvignon blancs was available in the United States, they were viewed as some of the best the examples of this grape the world has ever seen. Of course some Francophiles will argue no one can ever rival Pouilly Fume or Sancerre. With all their devotion, the rest of us cannot ignore the world's frenzied response to New Zealand's fresh, zesty version of sauvignon blanc.
      These days Marlborough is known for more than sauvignon blanc. Chardonnay, riesling, and pinot noir have flourished in this near idyllic environment. Most producers vinify chardonnay and riesling in stainless steel vats, forgoing oak. The ripe, new world styled pinot noir coming from this region is now creating another icon, rivaling the old world styled pinot noir of Burgundy. The North Island is getting into the game now too, producing complex cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc.
      The new world has exploded with wine production over the last century. Taking notes from its vetted peers in Europe, many growers and producers have found their own niche. Some have not only found an audience, but have created examples of a new icon, gaining their region prestige and a respectable slice of the market.

Case Discounts