Pale gold color; honeysuckle, lime blossom, hint of mowed grass on the nose; gooseberry, lime-lemon, passionfruit, grapefruit on the nose and palate.
Dry; crisp passionfruit and lemon-lime combine for a refreshing, thirst-quenching sip that also has richness and concentration. Light-medium body. Good acidity, but not the knife-on-your-tongue that some NZ efforts present. The winery notes: “Organically grown with wildflower gardens between the vineyard rows and regenerative viticulture to keep New Zealand’s soils healthy and ecosystems thriving. EarthGarden Sauvignon Blanc is bursting with flavour as nature intended.”
Villa Maria has farmed their sauvignon blanc organically since 2010 and earned BioGro certification in 2012. This is 100% sauv blanc from two Marlborough top valleys. Sir George Fistonich started the winery in 1961 and it remains family owned. Villa Maria was the first New Zealand to go cork free. All its wines since 2001 have been screw cap to promote quality in each bottle.
Villa Maria also pioneered commitment to sustainable viticulture. It has earned four certifications as proof of their on-going commitment to sustainability. Global beverage journal Drinks International named Villa Maria as New Zealand’s “Most Admired Wine Brand” from 2015 to 2019 in recognition of their consistent emphasis on quality.
Villa Maria EarthGarden Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2021 delivers fresh, crisp, rich Marlborough sauv blanc flavors. Extremely refreshing thirst-quenching wine. Good on pop-and-pour, becomes even more mellow, easy drinking delight with a bit of exposure to air. Clearly a pool and patio pounder for a torrid summer day. And many of us certainly have endured them in 2023. Pair with summer salad with tomatoes; fish and shellfish; vegetarian fare. Cheese—goat cheese is the default with sauv blanc; goat milk cheddar, gouda, havarti, monterey jack, muenster, parmesan, swiss. $17-19