International Sauvignon Blanc Day
The grape with the greatest “rock star” credentials these days, must surely be Sauvignon Blanc. It seems there is a global industry dedicated soley to its promotion. It even has its own day; this year the 12th edition of International Sauvignon Blanc Day takes place on Friday 7th May, 2021. When it comes to the choice of grape varieties preferred by the Irish consumer, Sauvignon Blanc is the most popular grape on the Irish market, out-performing all other varieties by over 50%.
Sauvignon Blanc is New Zealand’s most widely planted grape variety. The Marlborough region was first planted 142 years ago, yet it is only a mere 35 years since Cloudy Bay put New Zealand on the global wine map in 1986. By the early 1990’s Sauvignon Blanc was firmly established as New Zealand’s flagship grape with international demand increasing every year. Today it accounts for 66% of New Zealand’s total wine production.
In 1973, as Marlborough’s first Sauvignon Blanc vines were being planted, no one could have imagined the superstar status it would achieve. Pungently aromatic, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc assails the senses with red capsicum (bell peppers) and gooseberry characters, lush passionfruit and tropical fruit notes. Fresh cut grass, tomato stalk and lime flavours added to the mix give this wine style its enormous appeal.
This year, why not celebrate Ireland’s favourite grape with the iconic Cloudy Bay New Zealand’s most recognized winery. The 2020 Sauvignon Blanc vintage is now available in Ireland and is one of the best from recent years.
The growing season of 2019/2020, was good and the fruit that came into the winery was as close to perfect as could be imagined. It was a slighly cooler vintage than 2019 but the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc shows a remarkable balance and refined acidity. Speaking about the wine, Jim White, Cloudy Bay’s Technical Director, said the proof of the vintage is in the glass, “The 2020 vintage release is everything a Cloudy Bay Sauvignon should be, concentrated and vibrant, with beautiful citrus and stone fruit character, but also that certain subtlety and poise that has built its worldwide reputation”
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2020, RRP €35.60, is available nationwide from independent retailers including Higgins Clonskeagh, Redmonds, The Corkscrew, Morton & Sons, Jus De Vine, Bradleys Cork, The Wine Centre Kilkenny, Ardkeen Waterford, McCambridges Galway, select SuperValu and Dunnes Stores, O’Briens, and Donnybrook Fair.
