This week I’m showcasing the “perfect pairings” or “great wine couples.” For California wine lovers, we know that, oftentimes (though not all the time), if a winemaker finds a great region for Pinot Noir, they’ve also found a place to source Chardonnay — and vice versa. Despite the great wine grape diversity in our Golden State, it seems that these two varieties are the most popular and tend to go hand-in-hand. But when it comes to New Zealand, the great white grape is, without a doubt, Sauvignon Blanc. And so it is with this varietal that we will take our romantic journey to the kiwi isles.
About the Wine: The Mud House 2016 Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes sourced from the winery’s Woolshed estate vineyard, located in the upper Wairau Valley; as well as from parnter growers located in the Awatere and Wairau Valley sub regions of Marlborough.
Every vineyard batch was kept separate throughout the winemaking process, with blending taking place just before bottling.
12.5% ABV
Flavor Profile: Twist the cap and enjoy fragrant aromas of wet grass, green melon, and lychee. As the Mud House 2016 Sauvignon Blanc travels from bottle to glass, it is nearly clear, settling into the glass as a very pale straw-yellow with just a tinge of green in the light. Initial aromas are of passionfruit, sour apple, and a clear steady line of salinity, as well as those green elements sensed from the bottle. Swirl and open up some floral elements, hints of vanilla, lemongrass, and awaken the acidity.
On the palate, this Sauvignon Blanc is very light in body but that sour apple flavor hits you immediately and rides through the entirety of the tasting. There are secondary flavors of citrus, grass, pollen, and an almost filmy-texture comes with a background of vanilla. The finish is almost textural with a bit of a tingle and lingering flavors of lemongrass and a ginger-like heat (sans the flavor of ginger).
Food Pairing: I enjoyed the Mud House 2016 Sauvignon Blanc as an aperitif to my meal of grilled chicken served with my Mediterranean quinoa salad, which I served alongside the Mudhouse 2015 Pinot Noir. What I loved was that this white wine was so light and crisp in the forefront, but offered a bit of complexity toward the back — so it was a delightful wine to drink on its own before a meal, but also a good one to serve alongside the Pinot Noir for those who would prefer a white wine. And yes, it paired quite well with the dish, paralleling the bright acidity of the salad while counteracting the thready-meatiness of the chicken breast.
More Info: I received the Mud House 2016 Sauvignon Blanc as a sample for review. (Cheers Miriam!) Retail: Varies by location. For more information about Mud House and to purchase wines directly, please visit the Mud House website.
BriscoeBites officially accepts samples as well as conducts on-site and online interviews. Want to have your wine, winery or tasting room featured? Please visit the Sample Policy page where you can contact me directly. Cheers!
