What’s the secret of success to a new brand?
It’s an interesting phenomenon to learn pronounceability is closely aligned to sale-ability, a concept that several winemakers talked about when they were discussing the challenges of selling Arneis, Gruner Veltliner and even Gewurztraminer.
Once you know how to say these foreign words, they can roll off the tongue but the trouble is, they don’t easily lend themselves to doing that.
Enter Albarino, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc and even, dare I say it, Viognier. Okay, perhaps Viognier is the exception on that list – it’s pronounced ‘Vee-oh-nee-ay’, by the way.
Variety is the spice of life and the following trio of great whites proves just how well suited Aotearoa New Zealand is to growing high quality fresh white grapes that become refreshing, distinctively delicious white wines.
By Joelle Thomson
2020 Villa Maria single vineyard braided gravels Albarino RRP $30
This new Albarino comes from the Hawke’s Bay, one of the most promising regions for Albarino in New Zealand, to date. The Bay’s maritime climate with its warm days helps to ripen this white grape’s lemon, green olive and green herb flavours while the cool nights preserve its refreshing acidity, one of the key qualities of Albarino. It’s a great match with seafood and is a dry, medium bodied, super fresh style – drink it lightly chilled.
The Albarino grape originates in north west Spain and northern Portugal, where it is known as Alvarinho – the same grape by a different name. It thrives in maritime climates.
Rating: 19/20
Drink with: sashimi with soy or slivers of king fish served with green olives.
Meal match: fresh gurnard pan fried with lemon zest.
2021 Forrest Estate Marlborough Chenin Blanc RRP $28
Winemakers John and Beth Forrest are Chenin Blanc devotees and it shows in this fresh, bright and medium bodied example from Marlborough, which puts Chenin's great white foot forward with elegance and succulence.
Talk about a concentrated modern take on an old world classic. Flavours of freshly picked Granny Smith apples, lime zest and lemon curd intermingle with honey aromas. Extended lees ageing brings depth and savoury layers of flavour.
Rating: 18.5/20
Drink with: goat’s cheese with honey and walnut crackers.
Meal match: twice cooked mini goat’s cheese soufflés with leafy greens.
2015 Churton Viognier RRP $33
This Marlborough Viognier is one of New Zealand's best dry whites and tastes of ripe peach with sourdough flavours and a long, crisp, freshness of flavour that lingers with every sip. It is certified organic and comes from grapes grown by Sam and Mandy Weaver, whose adult sons now also make wines alongside them.
The Viognier grape originally comes from the northern Rhone Valley in France where it typically makes high quality, 100% varietal wines (made solely from this grape, without blending) but can also be used in full bodied dry white blends.
Rating: 18.5/20
Drink with: warm spicy spring rolls.
Meal match: Moroccan chicken pie with leafy salad.
