My Kind of Holiday

A while back I did a short interview for South Africa's biggest Sunday newspaper, which was published last weekend. Apologies to any mutton birds I may have offended.

On the Bench #3

Brokenwood 'Forest Edge Vineyard' Sauvignon Blanc 2009 $25

Much gnashing of teeth lately about the foothold that NZ Sauvignon has in the Australian market. Of the top ten Sauvignon Blanc's sold by volume, how many would you think are from NZ? Try ten.

So as a nation we're remarkably switched on to the East Island when it comes to savvy. We also allow the Kiwi's to claim back the WET tax (29%) on all sales here, so it is a win/win, or maybe win/win/win/win which goes some way to explaining their impressive marketing spend and subsequent market dominance.

Nonetheless, we do a pretty good version of the style in various cooler climate areas, like Orange in Central NSW, where Brokenwood source the fruit for this wine from. In fact this is better than pretty good, with fresh and lively passionfruit, citrus and nettle flavours and aroma's. It's not too 'green' in nature and whilst the front palate explosiveness of Sauvignon is there it doesn't wither away to nothingness in a hurry like some of its brethren. Winery Sample, 92 points, drink 2009+