Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
Price: $9.99
Grade: A
New Zealand has made a major appearance in American culture in the last few years. Its towering mountains set the stage for Frodo’s journey in “Lord of the Rings.” Just last year, Americans were introduced to New Zealand’s fourth-most popular comic folk band, Flight of the Conchords, who argued that a kiss is not a contract (but it’s very nice). The kiwis are no slouch in the wine department, either, as their Pinot Noirs and Sauvignon Blancs have exploded onto the American market.
New Zealand’s availability and success in the wine world is a bit astounding, given that the country ranks very low in the amount of land under vines and in overall production — barely in the top 35. Plus, as is the case in California, many of New Zealand’s premier vineyards are relatively new, some planted as late as 1973. Nevertheless, the country has managed to set a new standard for classic Sauvignon Blanc through the use of hygienic steel tanks and keen viticulture practices. Best of all, many quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are under $15.
Before New Zealand became a world-class wine producer, the best Sauvignon Blanc was found in France’s Loire Valley, specifically, in a town called Sancerre. Presently, a New Zealand region called Marlborough is the preeminent place in the world to find quality Sauvignon Blanc. Monkey Bay is a great bottle of wine. The nose has an impressive amount of fragrances such as lemon, lime, grapefruit, apricot, flower blossoms, butter, perfume, Thai lychee, Granny Smith apple, honeydew, pineapple and freshly mowed grass. The palate has similar flavors with further traces of pear, peach and a zesty tang that comes from the wine’s high acidity. Pair this wine with any kind of seafood, especially if it served with butter or cocktail sauce.
Wine marketers have discovered that labels with animals on them (penguins, ducks, kangaroos, monkeys and more) tend to sell better. Many times, a cute label will convince buyers to purchase a substandard bottle of wine. This is not the case with Monkey Bay. A great wine will not only balance fruit, alcohol and tannin; it will also display a complex array of aromas and flavors. Monkey Bay has all of the above attributes, which makes it deserving of an “A” grade.
Jeff’s column runs biweekly Wednesdays. He can be reached at j.katra@cavalierdaily.com.
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