Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Clifford Bay

Vintage Notes: The cool growing season of vintage 2000 retained the freshness and characteristic vibrancy of the Sauvignon Blanc. Modest crop loads throughout the Marlborough region enabled the vines to fully ripen the fruit. Viticulture: Various sites have been chosen from the Awatere and Wairau Valleys to produce this wine. Careful tending of the vineyards throughout the growing season and monitoring throughout the ripening stages in autumn has allowed the fruit to be harvested at its most flavoursome. Winemaking: The grapes from each vineyard were harvested and fermented separately in individual tanks. A neutral yeast was used so not to change any of the natural fruit character and the temperature was kept at an average of 12øC. A cooler ferment temperature enhances the fruitiness of this variety. Once the ferments had finished, the wines were blended proportionately, gently fined, filtered and bottled immediately to retain freshness.&" Winemakers Comments: Intense gooseberry nose with hints of tropical fruits. The Marlborough fruit gives a fresh zingyness to the palate with the Hawkes Bay contributing to the pineapple nuances and rounding of the palate. An excellent balance has been achieved between the two regions producing a wine with luscious fruit and a racy lingering finish.&" Food Match: Fish, chicken, salads, seafood, soups, oriental dishes and gazpacho