The Sustainably Grown Award Winning Vegan Friendly Wine from New Zealand

One of the most recognised grape varieties anywhere in the world is the Sauvignon Blanc. The most famous ones are from France (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume) and New Zealand (Marlborough). The ones from France are generally more mineral-driven in flavour than non-French ones. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has very aromatic “green” flavours such as gooseberry, nettles, cut grass, and lots of citrus.

The Sauvignon Blanc grape benefits most from regions where it is cool and not too warm. This is because the grapes best features are the pungent aromas and zesty characteristics which can be lost if they get too ripe. As a result, the most optimal growing conditions come from Marlborough in New Zealand where the warm days are offset by the cooling ocean breezes. The Black Cottage is located in the Wairau Valley of Marlborough, and is the home of winemaker David Clouston as well as the base of operations for their award winning wines.

Their 2019 vintage Sauvignon Blanc is one such example, winning many accolades in New Zealand. Their vineyards are sustainably grown, family-run, and even vegan friendly! Their focus on a sustainable approach has increased biodiversity and improved soil health. Even the bottles are made light weight to reduce carbon emissions! Its flavour profile is a very classic New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc with very pungent aromas of cut grass, peach, and gooseberry. The palate is full of green apple acidity leading to a refreshingly dry finish. It is no surprise that this wine has earned the “Champion Sauvignon Blanc Trophy” in the NZ Aromatic Wine Competition 2019.

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Grüner Silvaner – The Hipster Grape!

Grüner Silvaner is making a comeback. Best known as a component of Liebfraumilch and production boomed in the 1970s to the detriment of quality. But now its on the way back like vinyl and vintage clothing. he white variety is amongst the oldest cultivated vines in Europe, and is known as the Sylvaner in Austria and Switzerland, and Silvaner in Germany. The crossing is Traminer x Österreichisch Weiß, and is often called the ‘Österreicher’, or Austrian. Yields neutral to fruity wines. Aged versions usually show an expression of gooseberry.

 

The Hofmann Grüner Silvaner 2018 offers fresh notes of citrus fruits, herbs and a touch of spice lead to a bright and zesty palate with lots of orchard fruit flavours. Green pear and crunchy red apple notes are perceived before a crisp and dry finish. A zesty and aromatic white that is excellent with fresh fish dishes and also vegetarian cheese quiches. 

Available here for €16.95

 

Weingut Hofmann

Anyone who has called into the shop lately will have noticed we have started moving things about, adding some new wines and removing some others. One of our new additions is Weingut Hofmann from Appenheim in Rheinhessen, about an hour east of Frankfurt. The estate which was mixed agriculture, was converted solely to wine production in 1971 by current winemaker Jurgen Hofmann’s parents. Jurgen produces Riesling, Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and some other german varieties like Silvaner. But it is his Rieslings and Sauvignons that really wowed us.

Grapes from the Rotliegend slate soils of the ‘Roter Hang (Red Slope)’ and the limestone dominated soils surrounding Appenheim fuse together in this estate-level Riesling bursting with stony spice and minerality. Aromas of dried apricots and exotic spice dance hand in hand in a racy yet breathtakingly elegant tango. This is an entry-level dry Riesling that will leaving you wanting more.

His Sauvignon Blanc grapes are harvested sequentially from multiple sites as each vineyard reaches its own optimal ripeness. Cool, fresh notes of gooseberry, elderberry, and green asparagus blend with a tropical breeze reminiscent of the variety’s origins — and the small, lively kiwi bird that also calls New Zealand home. This wine is the perfect marriage of Sancerre and Marlborough styles, but from Germany!