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A pack of six bottles of the 2014 vintage of New Zealand’s most famous wine export, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. Made using both their own vineyards and trusted other growers in the Wairau Valley, this is classic ‘gooseberry and cat’s pee’ New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Review:
I was excited about this review, as the last time I poured this was at a wine tasting event with over 500 people which was simply nuts. I managed to keep a relatively low profile as a sommelier though, until toward the end of the tasting, when I got to pour some of this tasty little number from a bottle that had apparently just been opened at the table in front of us!
Cloudy Bay, if you don’t know, is one of New Zealand’s most famous exports. These guys more than any other winemakers really set the cat among the pigeons for the rest of the world on PGFs, neither filtered nor de-gassed, with the natural minute amount of sulphur they can actually only really be called wines and not vinegars.
I am very much in favour of them, and nothing I have ever tasted has either suggested that their absolute adherence to PGF methods has hurt the wine, nor that filtration and de-gassing has helped it in any discernible way. In addition these wines are stunningly beautiful with their deep colours and fresh aromatics!
Geography.
Cloudy Bay is situated in New Zealand’s Marlborough wine region. Occupying the Marlborough Sounds and the Wairau Valley, Marlborough now actually produces more wine than anywhere in the world. There is over 500 hectares under vine. Marlborough is hot, humid, and wet and this creates perfect conditions to produce great Sauvignon Blanc.
Soil.
The soils are deep and fertile. The Wairau Valley has a lot of alluvial soils, so the ground is very fertile. Marlborough’s warm and fertile climate also lends itself perfectly to wine grape growing.
Grapes.
The Sauvignon Blanc grapes they use are the very best of the very best which the Wairau Valley has to offer.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Review:
Wine making:
The wine is a classic Sancerre style. 100% de-stemmed with no filtration or de-gassing. This wine is bold, brash and proud of its heritage. It is aged for 16 months in oak and bottled unfiltered.
In the glass:
What really stands out to me when you pour this wine into a glass is the texture. It’s firm and well textured. The colour is a beautiful bright straw yellow. The aromatics are very fresh and exciting; you can almost feel the gooseberry and grass aromas jump off your glass. The wine has a long and flavourful palate, simple and elegant with a wonderful crisp finish.
Food Pairing:
I personally love this wine with a good meal. You can’t go wrong with grilled fish fillets and a dirty green salad. However another delicious pairing is chicken schnitzel, and of course New Zealand Lamb.
What I love about this wine is that it is simple and elegant. However, it still retains the strong and brash personality of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc! It drinks quite light and easy but still has a serious amount of flavour.
When you’re considering buying a bottle of this for yourself, remember that this is a classic example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from a classic region in one of the world’s most exciting wine growing regions. It’s going to be a great experience and I urge you to try it!
Cloudy Bay is not only one of my favourite Sauv Blanc’s it was also the wine which got me into New Zealand Sauv Blanc’s in the first place. My journey in wine started with Sauvignon Blanc many years ago, however I knew nothing about New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Sauv Blanc was the first wine I ever really enjoyed. It’s still one of my favourites.One day I was in a wine store staring at the wine rack, thinking about what to buy. I was reading the label on a bottle and it said that it was made in New Zealand. I said to myself, that’s something I’ve never had before. I bought it and I’ve loved the style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc ever since!You can read more about my journey in wine here This wine might not be the easiest to come across, so start looking for it when you do!Here are some wines that pair well with Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc!Enjoy! P.S. make sure you comment and share on Facebook!
