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More wines available from Esk Valley
750ml
Bottle:
$17.85
$19.19
This is a rich and full-bodied Gimblett Gravels blend. Densely colored, it has a bouquet of dark cherry, blackberry,...
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Winery
Esk Valley
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
The green skinned grapes of the Sauvignon Blanc varietal had their origins in Southern France, where they are still widely grown and used for many of the excellent young and aged white wines the region is famous for. Today, however, they are grown in almost every wine producing country in the world, and are widely revered for their fresh and grassy flavors, full of tropical notes and refreshing, zesty character. Sauvignon Blanc grapes thrive best in moderate climates, and ripen relatively early in the year. This has made them a favorite for many wineries in the New World, where they can still produce healthy and high yields in the earlier part of the summer before the temperatures become too hot. Too much heat has a massively adverse effect on Sauvignon Blanc, as the grapes become dull in their flavor, and the wine produced from them loses all its unique character and high points. As such, Sauvignon Blanc farmers have had a lot of trouble from global warming and climate change, as they are being forced to harvest their crops increasingly earlier in the year when it is cool enough to do so.
Region: Hawkes Bay
In northern New Zealand, Hawkes Bay has long since been considered something of the birthplace and spiritual home of the country's now enormous and highly successful wine industry. For such a young country, the Hawkes Bay wine industry is relatively ancient, dating back to the mid 19th century, when settlers were first arriving to establish permanent dwellings on the island. Today, the region is regarded as something of an ideal setting for fine, New World style viticulture. The hot climate, low rainfall and moderate humidity help the vintners coax their grapes to full ripeness, and a wide range of grape varietals now flourish in the region's vineyards. However, the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling grapes have all produced the most successful wines of recent years, alongside a healthy and growing dessert wine industry which is based there.
Country: New Zealand
As with nearby Australia, New Zealand has over the past century proven itself to be a superb location for producing high quality wines in vast amounts, with much of the cooler regions of both islands being used primarily for vine cultivation. New Zealand wineries are notable for their enthusiasm in regards to experimentation, and for utilizing modern technologies and methods to make the most of the imported grape varietals which flourish in the rich, fertile soils and oceanic climate. In recent years, it has been the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines which have gained the most attention, as a result of their smoky character and ability to carry the mineral rich nature of the terroir they grow in. Changing consumer interests have brought about a considerable rise in the production of organic and sustainable wines in New Zealand, of which again, the Sauvignon Blanc varietals are leading the way in regards to excellence, flavor and overall character.