Sauvignon Republic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008
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Tasty components from both the Wairau River Valley and the neighboring Awatere helped create diversity in this blend. Depending on exposure and soil structure, which ranged from rocks and pebbles to sand and clay, different parcels contributed citrus, lemon zest, nettles, pineapple-tropical fruit, and white currant, with a touch of minerality.
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Sauvignon Blanc is a grape variety that expresses "terroir" (the place that it is grown) more profoundly than almost any other grape variety. California, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and France are the locations where it has shown greatness. Sauvignon Republic intends to produce a wine in each area. It will allow them to promote and share the unique flavors that each location provides.
Food styles and flavors have changed profoundly in recent years. Asian, Hispanic and Indian flavors and techniques are being widely embraced by both chefs and home cooks. European and Mediterranean flavors of course will continue to be a part of "American" food but the increasing influence of these new cuisines is having a profound impact on wine choices. Sauvignon Blanc has the unique ability to wrap itself around all of these new flavors and cuisines.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
An icon and leading region of New Zealand's distinctive style of Sauvignon blanc, Marlborough has a unique terroir, making it ideal for high quality grape production (of many varieties). Despite some common generalizations, which could be fairly justified given that Marlborough is responsible for 90% of New Zealand's Sauvignon blanc production, the wines from this region are actually anything but homogenous. At the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, the vineyards of Marlborough benefit from well-draining, stony soils, a dry, sunny climate and wide temperature fluctuations between day and night, a phenomenon that supports a perfect balance between berry ripeness and acidity.
The region’s king variety, Sauvignon blanc, is beloved for its pungent, aromatic character with notes of exotic tropical fruit, freshly cut grass and green bell pepper along with a refreshing streak of stony minerality. These wines are made in a wide range of styles, and winemakers take advantage of various clones, vineyard sites, fermentation styles, lees-stirring and aging regimens to differentiate their bottlings, one from one another.
Also produced successfully here are fruit-forward Pinot noirs (especially where soils are clay-rich), elegant Riesling, Pinot gris and Gewürztraminer.