New Zealand
JULY 2024
The breathtakingly beautiful country of New Zealand (made up of two islands – the North Island & the South Island) has appellations all over the country, but the vast majority of wines in the Seattle market come from Marlborough at the northeast corner of the South Island. Periodically we get wines from Waipara (south of Marlborough near Christchurch, considered an up and coming region) and Hawke's Bay in the North Island.
The climate is considered oceanic, so moderate with summers that are hot and winters that are cold, but not extreme. New Zealand has a lot of hilly & mountainous terrain which protects the vineyards, keeping the growing zone temperate as well.
Your club includes a Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) & a Pinot Noir (Waipara), the two classic grapes from this region. Both wines are perfect for this time of year. Hope you enjoy them.
Tohu
Marlborough, New Zeland
From the winery:
Tohu Wines is part of Kono, a Māori, whānau-owned company based in Te Tauihu, at the top of the South Island. With approximately 4000 owners, who descend from the customary Māori land-owners, the whānau and hapū of the Whakatū, Motueka and Mōhua rohe, our purpose is to preserve and enhance our taonga for present and future generations.
With its inception in 1998, Tohu is acknowledged as He mātāmua taketake - the original, the first Māori-owned and operated wine label. Our wine is enjoyed by people all over the world. Thoughtfulness, kindness and hospitality are central to our identity as Māori. Our wines are made to honor the culture and the land.”
Photo top: Tohu vineyards in Aotearoa
Tohu 2023 Sauvignon Blanc • Marlborough, New Zealand • Reg $17.99 | WINE CLUB $15.99 | Mixed Case $12.79
This highly decorated wine – Marlborough Wine Show 2023: Gold, Japan Women's Wine Awards 2024: Double Gold, Meininger 2024 34th Grand International Wine Award Mindus Vini: Gold – is from the Awatere Valley (vineyards pictured above & top) in southern Marlborough.
"Aromas of tropical passionfruit, citrus zest and underlying notes of freshly crushed herbs. The palate is layered with flavours of sweet pineapple, crunchy green apple, and juicy lime and grapefruit." Zesty, minerally, lively, fresh & dry. –winemaker's notes.
The wine is so well-balanced, and this vintage is particularly good. Drink now to 2 years. The winery suggests pairing it with their polenta & halloumi burger (pictured below) using the acidity in the wine to cut the richness of the burger, creating balance on your palate.
Sherwood Estate
Waipara, New Zealand
Husband/wife team Jill & Dayne Sherwood founded this estate in 1987 and have grown it into one of the largest independent wineries in New Zealand. In the 1980's, the New Zealand wine market was in crisis. Despite a series of supreme crops, the industry experienced a fall in demand, causing wineries large and small to close their doors. Many wineries were pulling up their vines and moving on, and it was in this climate that the couple planted 20 acres of vines on their Canterbury block, and Sherwood Estate Wines was born. Today they have 5 vineyard sites totaling 115 acres.
Sherwood Estate 2023 Stoney Range Pinot Noir • Waipara, New Zealand • Reg $13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
Nose of raspberries, forest floor. Palate adds in black cherries, dark plums, strawberries. Lighter in body. Juicy. Spicy. Fun summer wine. Burgers, salmon, grilled sausages. Drink now to 2 years. The winery suggests enjoying this wine with a charcuterie plate, especially in summer.
Hope you enjoy these great summer wines! New Zealand is a fun place to go exploring.
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop