At the November 4th, 2021 meeting, the Wine Club travelled to New Zealand to sample their vast array of popular wines. Use the link below to:
Discover the Wines of New Zealand
Of the nine people on the Zoom call, only two really enjoyed the wines they had chosen for the occasion. It appears that the majority avoided the more popular and noted wines from New Zealand and decided to try something new.
Not everyone tried Sauvignon Blanc which has a very light crisp distinctive taste. However, those of us who really enjoy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc would like to share our experience. We hope that you enjoy our brief summaries. Next month we will travel to Eastern Europe on our wine tour.
OYSTER BAY, Sauvignon Blanc
Reviewed by Linda Johnson
A zest for the extraordinary! One of my favourite wines is Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. It is also my family’s go-to wine for special occasions. It has a stunningly aromatic flavour of tropical fruits and bright citrus notes, with a refreshingly zesty finish.
Produced from the Marlborough vineyards, a region famous for introducing elegant wines. The warm days and cool nights of this region create an extended growing season allowing the grapes to develop strong, varietal characteristics while maintaining a balanced crisp, natural acidity.
This wine pairs nicely with seared scallops and asparagus as well as chicken dishes and salad luncheons.
It is priced at $19.95 at the LCBO and very often comes on sale at $16.95. It’s a very dry wine with a zero sugar content and 13% alcohol content.
VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN, Sauvignon Blanc
Reviewed by Linda Hasler
Villa Maria Private Bin, Sauvignon Blanc, from Marlborough, New Zealand is produced by Villa Maria Wineries, a much-awarded company for producing excellent wines.
This Sauvignon Blanc has a very light and crisp distinctive taste, much enjoyed by many. It is a pale straw colour; has intense aromas of grapefruit, herbs, gooseberry with a mineral streak; medium-plus bodied, fresh acidity, and flavours of grapefruit, green gooseberry leaf and berry; clean, fresh finish. It is an excellent choice to accompany sea food dishes as well as sipping with friends. It has an alcohol content of 13.5% and is considered to be Extra Dry.
New Zealand wines can be in the higher price range and this bottle is $17.70 in the LCBO. There are other fine New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines around the $15.00 mark such as White Cliff and Te Henga which are also quite enjoyable. As always, most of these wines go on sale in the LCBO at various times.
History
This is a bit of history around this winery which has won many awards for its fine wines.
The founder, Sir George Fistonich, believes that the secret to Villa Maria’s success does not lie in chasing awards, but focusing on making superior quality wine that consumers can readily enjoy.
Get this right and the awards naturally follow.
The story began in 1961 when George Fistonich at the age of 21 started with just an acre of vines in Auckland.
Since then, Villa Maria has become an icon of the New Zealand wine industry.
They are known for making bold, pioneering moves, like switching to 100% screwcap, and embedding sustainable practices in every aspect of company – from vine to wine and beyond.
Awards
New Zealand’s most awarded winery
One of the World’s 50 Great Wine Producers by Wine Spectator Magazine (USA – 2004)
One of the World’s 50 Most Admired Brands – Drinks International Magazine (UK – 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)
Wine Company of the Year
New Zealand Wine Company of the Year – Winestate (AUS – 2019)
Most Trusted Brand for New Zealand Wine – Reader’s Digest (NZ – 2020, 2018 & 2016)
Producer of the Year
New Zealand Wine Producer of the Year – International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK – 2009, 2007, 2006 & 2004)
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 