Was invited for tasting to the AB OVO wine shop located at SZEGA – Budagyöngye Shopping Center- Budapest. More great New Zealand wines arrived from (Marlborough, Martinborough, Nelson) and a different style of Sauvignon Blanc was to be compared by tasting the New Zealand wines from one amazement to another!
Unmistakably wine regions in New Zealand
Chardonnay- Nelson 2021– White – Dry – Alc.14% – Aged for 13 months exclusively in Tonnellerie Rousseau the oak. Predominantly Mendoza grapes. Tasting Notes: mouth-filling, balanced, peachy with a hint of vanilla and citrus peel. Full-bodied – Dry Wine. A crisp acidity balance the flavors, which often perfectly rounded with oak. Food Match: with acidic foods, such as raw tomatoes, olives, capers, ceviche and tangy vinaigrettes, sauces. Avoid funky, washed-rind cheeses (taleggio, Époisse) and aged goat and sheep’s cheese.
The Pencarrow Sauvignon Blanc 2021 – White – Dry – Alc.12.5%. The label pays tribute to the famous Pencarrow Lighthouse on the Palliser Coast. It also pays tribute to Mary Jane Bennett, whose lighthouse keeper husband died in 1855, leaving her to raise her six children alone and run the lighthouse herself. She was the first woman in this position in New Zealand. She held this position for 10 years. The grapes are 70% from older stock in Clouston vineyards and the remainder from Pencarrow in Martinboroug. Tasting Notes: Characteristic Martinborough numerous tropical fruit, also discover Golgotha fruit, Granny Smith apples, blackcurrants, and even white-fleshed nectarines, dried herb complexity in the foreground. The ripeness and the emphasis on the fruit keep the mouth-watering acids in balance, resulting in a long, fresh finish. Food Match: it also works great as an aperitif, or it’s downright brilliant with, for example, pan-fried fish, green-lipped mussels or oysters.
Middle Earth – New Zealand / Nelson Pinot Noir 2020 Premium, Dark Ruby – Dry – Alc.14% – Vegan friendly. It is a family owned and sustainably farmed wine. Sultry and perfumed with black cherry and plum. The wine has a plush, velvet smooth palate and leaves a lasting impression. Located in the prized wine region of Nelson, the geographic center/Middle-earth of New Zealand comes a family of premium 100% sustainable award winning wines that truly reflect a pure origin. Pinot Noir was harvested in the sunniest part of New Zealand, on the Waimea Plains in Nelson, from a flat area with alluvial, gravelly and muddy soil. A lot of sunlight and a long ripening time result in beautifully clean fruit. Each must was kept cold for 5 days in order to extract maximum color, flavor and aroma substances. The fermentation took place with the help of selected Burgundian yeast strains. After a month of maturation in wooden barrels, it was bottled after a light filtration. Tasting Notes: Currant, plum, raspberry and spiciness can be felt in its exciting aroma. Food Match: whether you prefer light or dark turkey meat, they’re equally delicious with Pinot Noir. Also goes well with barbecue pork ribs, pepperoni pizza, salmon, beet salad with goat cheese, lamb chops, Brie, Gouda, and Manchego cheeses.
Mount Vernon -Marlborough – 100% Sauvignon Blanc 2021 , White – Dry – Alc.13% – Vegan friendly! Mt. Vernon is located in the Wither Hills, close to Lawson’s Dry Hills Winery. Named after one of the most famous landmarks. a wonderfully aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. Tasting Notes: flavors range from ripe tropical fruits, through to herbaceous and grassy, supplemented with elderberry, gooseberry and green apple. The taste is lively and fruity, with a pleasant, juicy concentration and a gentle finish. Food Match: It is a great pleasure to sip on its own, but it is a perfect accompaniment to seafood dishes, salads, fresh cheeses even vegetarian dishes.
TEN ROCKS Sauvignon Blanc 2022 , White – Dry – Alc.12.5%. – Vegan friendly! Mt. Vernon is located in the Wither Hills, close to Lawson’s Dry Hills Winery. No wonder after being named after one of the most famous landmarks. The 2022 vintage was harvested early, resulting in highly aromatic, balanced wines. Each block was harvested separately, after gentle pressing, they were fermented separately – with special yeasts that increase the fruitiness – and then the best containers were selected to make Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc 2021. Absolutely were tasted. Ten reasons to love this wine with of its Tasting Notes: aromatic, fresh, herbaceous, passionfruit, citrus, gooseberry, crisp, balance, delicious. The Ten Rocks is produced from a selection of vineyards throughout Marlborough whereas the warm days and cool nights give vibrant fruit flavors and crisp acidity. This Sauvignon Blanc perfectly shows why the whole world is rooting for Marlborough’s classic styl. Food Match: lighter seafood dishes such as grilled shrimp and scallops, artichoke dip or roasted veggies, chicken or pork chops, lemon tarts and crumbles.
TEN ROCKS – Malborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 – White – Dry – Alc. 12.5% This fantastic raw material came from selected areas of Marlborough vineyards, which perfectly demonstrates the region’s geographical diversity and varied flavor profiles. After careful pressing, the must was fermented in a tank at a cool temperature to preserve all its natural aromas and flavors. After fine pressing, the grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks with selected yeast, while a small amount was fermented with wild yeast in French barrique barrels. Tasting Notes: citruses and grass are mixed with passion fruit, and then it continues in the mouth, this very characteristic taste, with lively, fruity flavors, refreshing, fresh acids and a pleasantly crisp, but still long finish. Food Match: will work so yummy with creamy pasta dishes or a mushroom risotto, citrusy or herbaceous sauv blancs. Someone on the other hand better with pesto pasta, ravioli with herbed tomato sauce, or simple pasta dishes with olive oil, lemon, fresh tomatoes, and greens.
Riport and snaps by Aggie Reiter
Rolling in Budapest 