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JellyBean Loves His Wine!!!
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Welcome to our wine showdown. This is the spot where like wines will be blind tasted and ranked by our expert panel. The
mission of our wine showdown section is to give you a quick look at the wines that are blind tasted. This will include the
information about the varietal, the location of the wines we tasted, a cheat sheet of possible aromas and tastes, and finally
some wine/food pairing options. We at FightingVarietals.com hope that you find our wine showdown informative and enjoyable.
So, try some of these great wines today and remember to check back tomorrow for future updates.
New Zealand Sauvugnon Blanc Wine Showdown
Varietal:
Sauvignon Blanc, is a green-skinned grape varietal that produces a crisp, dry and refreshing white wine. This wine most
likely originated from the Bordeaux region of France. The name sauvignon comes from the French "sauvage", meaning wild. The
best Sauvignon Blancs in the world are produced in Bordeaux, France and New Zealand. However, "no other region in the world
can match Marlborough,the northeastern corner of New Zealand's South Island, which seems to be the best place in the world to
grow Sauvignon Blanc grapes" (Taber). DNA research has also identified Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc as the parents of
Cabernet Sauvignon. Sauvignon Blanc is meant to be drunken young drink them up young because they will not improve with
age.
Location:
New Zealand, is isolated in the South Pacific Ocean, one thousand miles southeast of Australia. NZ is composed of two main
islands which are named North Island and South Island. The vineyards of NZ are the most southerly in the world. About half
of the wines produced in NZ come from one large producer: Montana, who bottles many different wines under different labels.
Montana was one of the pioneers in planting the Marlborough region with Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough has since become one of
the most renowned regions in the world for Sauvignon Blanc.
Cheat sheet:
Aroma- Tropical aromas, citrus, limes, melons, mango, herbs, grass
Taste- straw, hay, grass, meadow, smoke, green tea, green herbs, gun flint, cat pee, fig, melon, tropical fruits, citrus,
fresh limes, wild herbs, watercress, cardoons, gooseberries, green olives, green melons, snow peas, green beans, mango,
passion fruit.
Wine/food pairing:
Fish, chicken, oysters, cheese, salad, sushi, and many other Asian dishes. Fusion style meals that are laced with chilies, lime, and tropical
fruits are usually a good match for Sauvignon Blanc.
Omaka Springs Sauvignon Blanc 2006, New Zealand
MSRP $18.00
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#1
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The 2006 Omaka Springs Sauvignon Blanc is a very well structured wine. It has a prominent nose of melon with undertones of
tropical fruit, citrus and earth. This wine also has a very round and full mouth feel and tastes of green fruits, melon,
cucumber, and herbs. These tastes linger on the palate with a nice long finish. (note: there is 11% Semillion in this wine
which adds to its herbaciousness.) |
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Value: This is a great wine that warrants its price. It is a great example of the quality New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs can
achieve. 20,000 cases produced
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Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2006, New Zealand
MSRP $14.00
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#2
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This is a light, crisp and tropical Sauvignon Blanc. Upon opening you will notice the aroma of tropical fruits that continue
bursting onto the palate. You will also notice green apple and grapefruit that show through on the lengthy finish. (note:
100% Sauvignon Blanc) |
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Value: This is a nice crisp Sauvingon Blanc that is an excellent value. This wine will not disappoint.
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Giesen Sauvignon Blanc 2006, New Zealand
MSRP $12.00
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#3
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Giesen brings us a very smooth 2006 Sauvignon Blanc. The nose is vibrant with gooseberry and herbal notes. It is structured
well with a nice mouth feel and smooth refreshing finish. |
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Value: A true Value at only $12 retail. This is one if those wines that is priced for everyday consumption but tastes like a
treat.
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Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006, New Zealand
MSRP $11.00
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#4
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Monkey Bay is a smooth easy drinking Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. It is crisp, fresh and tropical with notes of
honeydew melon, grapefruit, green tea, and fig notes giving way to a soft finish. |
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Value: This is an unbelievable value because if its low price and wide distribution. When blind tasted it beat out other
New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs that commanded greater prices. Do yourself a favor and put this wine into your weekly rotation.
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Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2005, New Zealand
MSRP $17.00
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#5
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This a a very round wine with a solid nose of grapefruit, floral notes, and pineapple that all but jump out of the glass. It
hits the palate with citrus and tropical flavors. |
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Value: If your a value hound you may want to try a different New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. However, this is a nice wine that
is worth the price if you want to try a quality wine that is not so widely available.
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Nobilo "Icon" Sauvignon Blanc 2005, New Zealand
MSRP $19.00
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#6
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This wine has a tropical floral nose with hints of lemon peel. It has a nice mouth feel and the taste
profile includes pineapple, grapefruit, lime, earth, and grass. The finish on this wine is crisp, smooth and long
lasting. |
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Value: Nobilo Icon is not one that I would recommend as a value wine. There are better NZ Sauvignon Blancs that cost less.
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Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc 2006, New Zealand
MSRP $10.00
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#7
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This wine is lean and easy drinking. It has citrus and floral notes on the nose and lime, green tea, and
melon on the palate. |
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Value: For $10 you get what you pay for with this wine. The only problem with that is there are many other NZ Sauvignon
Blancs that give you much more for about the same price. You won't be disappointed but you won't be blown away either.
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Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006, New Zealand
MSRP $13.00
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#8
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This Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand has a bouquet of citrus and melon rind. There are notes of
grapefruit, lime, gooseberry and passion fruit. The finish is sharp and short. |
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Value: There are other wines that are better at this price point.
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Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006, New Zealand
MSRP $12.00
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#9
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This is a fruit forward wine that has a nose of mango, apple, and hay.
It tastes tart and crisp with a short finish. |
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Value: It tastes like a $6 bottle, skip it.
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Raymond Sauvignon Blanc 2005, California, Napa Valley
The Ringer
MSRP $15.00
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#10
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Swampy and musty nose with flavors of burnt wood and citrus. This one is flabby with a short uninspired
finish. |
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Value: Don't waste your money, This one sucks. The worst Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand taste better than this.
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