Fairbourne in the UK

Seasonal veggies and Sauvignon Blanc

September 11, 2018 by admin

This post is for our U.K. based Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc fans. We’ve been reliably informed that following a long hot summer, the first whiffs of autumn are in the air. Autumn is one of our favourite seasons, not least because of the wonderful harvest of vegetables that you can find in your garden, allotment or even at the farm shop and farmer’s markets.

It’s the season for beetroot, broad beans and sweetcorn. If you have a glut of any of these favourite veggies here are three recipes that you can use to create a perfect weekend lunch or light supper.

Beetroot & Goat’s Cheese Salad

A few heritage beetroot, cooked and cubed
A handful of walnuts toasted, drizzled with maple syrup and left to cool
A little orange juice, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, whizzed into a dressing
Mixed salad leaves or rocket
Goat’s cheese, cubed

Lay the mixed leaves on your serving platter, top with the beetroot, goat’s cheese and walnuts, then drizzle with the dressing. Serve with a chilled glass of Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

A simple pasta dish with Broad Beans and Parmesan

Your favourite pasta, fussilli, pappardelle or spaghetti
Broad beans, blanched
Mint
Olive oil
Juice and zest of a lemon
Parmesan cheese

Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, drain and reserve a little of the cooking liquid. Toss in the broad beans, chopped mint, juice and zest of the lemon and some olive oil. Loosen with the reserved cooking liquid if necessary. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and black pepper. Serve with a chilled glass of Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Sweetcorn and Bacon fritters

Corn kernels stripped from two fresh cobs
A couple of spring onions chopped
Two eggs, separated
A few slices of bacon, cooked, cooled and cut into pieces

Mix together the corn kernels, spring onions, egg yolks and bacon in a bowl. Whisk the egg whites, until stiff, and fold into the mixture. Fry spoonfuls of the fritter mixture in a blend of butter and oil. Serve with avocado, salsa and a chilled glass of Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Head to your local Majestic Wines store to buy your Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

25th May is Wine Day

May 11, 2018 by admin

We’re beginning to think that May might be the best month in the calendar, it just keeps on giving!

Not only was May 4th International Sauvignon Blanc Day, but May 25th is Wine Day! A day that celebrates one of the most loved and historical alcoholic tipples, wine!

At Fairbourne, we think wine should be celebrated every day! But if you would like to make an occasion of Wine Day on 25th May, here are a few tips to help you do exactly that…

Celebrate with friends – Raising a glass with friends to love, friendship, health, wealth, and happiness makes a special occasion truly joyful. It’s an art that has been practiced by many cultures around the globe from the start of recorded history. It’s also a wonderful way to make perfect memories!
Celebrate with food – Fairbourne premium, elegant and hand-picked Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, is supple across the palate with a generous mouth-feel, the vibrant and expressive fruit flavours lead to a smooth dry finish. It’s made to be enjoyed with food, and is extremely versatile. Fresh fish and seafood are natural accompaniments, but it will also pair beautifully with white meats like chicken, turkey, goose and pork. As an easy drinking wine you’ll find it’s compatible with fresh and fragrantly spiced cuisine.
Celebrate with the best – Fairbourne Premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, is terroir inspired from a single vineyard. That means it tastes like no other Sauvignon Blanc you will have tried because the ancient clay gravel soils where the vines grow, define its unique style. Unlike many other Sauvignon Blanc wines, our grapes are hand-picked for elegant and refined flavours. Sarah then works her magic, so that Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc consistently earns 5* reviews.

Wherever, and however you choose to celebrate Wine Day, we’d like to raise a glass to you! If you’re in the U.K. head to your local Majestic Wines store to find Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc.

Spring is here! Or is it?

April 10, 2018 by admin

If you’re living in the U.K. spring should officially have sprung… But it seems the weather is as changeable as ever. A hint of sunshine and warmth is followed by steady rain, and even snow! However, the vagaries of British weather, shouldn’t stop you enjoying your Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, which is always consistently good! We believe that your favourite varietal transcends all seasons, and tastes as good sipped by the fireside, as it does slurped in the sunshine!

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions for spring suppers and light lunches that will pair perfectly with your favourite Sauvignon Blanc, no matter what the weather gods throw at you.

For rainy days when only comfort food will do – A warming bowl of soup makes the perfect lunchtime treat. Turn it into an evening meal with some crusty bread and an antipasto platter. Classic seafood chowder is a great choice, but if you’re looking for more soupy inspiration, check out this blog post from the archives, for two recipes that both pair perfectly with Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

For spring suppers when the sun comes out to play – As new season produce hits the shelves look out for tender, sweet British asparagus. This Asparagus and Cheese Tart recipe, served with a simple salad and a bottle of Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc, shouts springtime! And if things really start heating up, roll out the barbecue, but think beyond the humble sausage and burger. Choose chicken, fish or seafood to pair with Fairbourne premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

For days when it’s complicated – If you’re planning an event ahead of time and have no idea what the weather will be like then cover your bases by choosing a simple pasta dish. Comforting enough if there’s a chill in the air, but equally good eaten al fresco! For something different try Spaghetti with Anchovy Carbonara. Find a recipe HERE.

Head to your local Majestic Wines store in the UK to find Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc.

A Sauvignon Blanc Easter

March 21, 2018 by admin

The Easter holiday is just around the corner, and with it comes the opportunity for family and friends to feast together. If you’re looking for a wine to fill your fridge for the social occasions that you’re holding or have been invited to, then look no further than Fairbourne premium hand-picked Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Here are three reasons why…

Fairbourne Premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, is extremely versatile. This means you can serve it throughout your entire Easter feast. It’s a wonderful apéritif to serve with canapés, especially seafood and salty cheese inspired nibbles. It will certainly honour a smoked salmon starter, it pairs beautifully with white meats like chicken, turkey, goose and pork, and can accompany the cheese course… Goat cheese, a delicious Chevre, and Sauvignon Blanc, is a match made in heaven.

You’ll be invited back! At Fairbourne, as specialist producers of premium hand-picked Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc we’re clearly in love with the vibrant and expressive fruit flavours this grape varietal yields. It seems that the Brits agree with us! A survey of 400,000 people, found that Sauvignon Blanc wine is the top choice of tipple in every British town, city and county, bar one… So you can guarantee that if you gift your host a bottle of Fairbourne, you’ll be invited back.

A wine for all seasons. If you’re reading this in the Northern hemisphere you’ll be hoping for a little spring sunshine over the Easter holidays. And if you’re reading this in the Southern hemisphere we may be lucky enough to enjoy a few of those perfect early autumn/late summer days. But wherever you’re drinking your Sauvignon Blanc you can be sure that if you choose Fairbourne your favourite varietal will transcend all seasons.

Head to your local Majestic Wines store in the UK to find Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc.

Open that bottle!

February 9, 2018 by admin

At Fairbourne, we believe life is for living… Eat the cake, buy the shoes and open the bottle! (Not necessarily all at once, or in that order.)

We’re pleased to know we’re not alone with this philosophy, and in fact, that a special day was created in the year 2000 to ensure that special bottles of wine, champagne and spirits are actually enjoyed! Open That Bottle Night was founded by ‘Tastings’ columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher; and this year it takes place on 24th February 2018. Read all about the day HERE.

Unlike many Sauvignon Blanc wines, Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc will be as good, if not better if you decide to cellar it… Raymond Chan recently re-reviewed our Fairbourne 13, it kept its five-star rating and Raymond said it was… “better with bottle age.”

If you have a special bottle of Fairbourne set aside, and decide that the last February in Saturday is a good time to unscrew the cap here are our four steps to enjoyment central!

Remember to select the correct vessel! Not all wine glasses are created equal. When selecting your glassware it’s important to consider that glass shape can provide a unique experience for drinking your wine. Check out an earlier blog post with more information on this.
Be sure to serve your Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc at the optimum temperature. Chilling our Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to serve between 14 and 16°C (52 and 61°F) will delight your taste buds!
Serve with food… Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is extremely versatile. It has the capacity to honour simple seafood, such as, fresh oysters and steamed mussels, as well as salmon. Additionally, it pairs with white meats like chicken and pork. Goat cheese, a delicious Chevre, and Sauvignon Blanc, is a match made in heaven. The wine’s vibrant flavors also compliment spicy and ethnic cuisines.
Serve with friends… The original premise of Open That Bottle Night was that the annual occasion should motivate friends and family to connect with each other over a bottle, and create great memories!

Still in need of a special bottle to mark this day of the year? Head to your local Majestic Wines store in the UK to find Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc. If you’re in New Zealand order HERE.

Six inspired Christmas gifts for wine lovers…

December 6, 2017 by admin

Christmas is just around the corner, and that means, if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to start thinking about your Christmas shopping. Whether you’re buying for family, friends or work colleagues we have no doubt that among your intended recipients there are sure to be some wine lovers…. So with that in mind, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to… Here is the Fairbourne Christmas gift guide for Wine Lovers!

For the lover of the great outdoors – Why is it that wine always tastes even better when drunk outside, enjoying a view…? Roll on summer…. The Tovolo Steady Sticks Wine Bottle Holder is the perfect way to balance wine and avoid spillages whilst camping, beaching, festival-going or simply enjoying the garden. Buy from Amazon.
For the lounger – We have this fabulous glass holder that attaches to our lounger… You can by them in Australia, so if you know any wine loungers living there, order from Anaconda.
For the entertainer – For anyone who enjoys hosting parties, complete with party games, this Wine Tasting Party Game makes a great gift. Buy from Amazon.
For the perfectionist – Perfect wine tastes better in the perfect glass; find out why HERE. For a good selection of white wine glasses head to John Lewis.
For the bottle half full person – If you know somebody who frequently has a half drunk bottle of wine in their fridge, gift them wine condoms! Yes they’re a thing! Described as the world’s most functional wine bottle stopper, the shrink-to-fit technology allows them to slip snugly over almost any bottle and create a water-tight seal. Because they add no extra height to your bottle, it won’t need to be balanced at a precarious angle in the fridge. Buy from FireBox.
For the Connoisseur – If you know a Sauvignon Blanc lover, then choose premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Fairbourne. You’ll be selecting the best for the best! At Fairbourne we hand-pick our grapes from a single vineyard. Our wine is supple across the palate with a generous mouth-feel, the vibrant and expressive fruit flavours lead to a smooth dry finish. Fairbourne consistently achieves five star reviews.
Head to your local Majestic Wines store in the UK to find Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc. If you’re shopping within New Zealand we can ship a single luxury gift box or a twin luxury gift box on your behalf. Order HERE.

One chicken, one bottle of wine, two mid-week meals.

November 21, 2017 by admin

The evenings are darker and the temperatures cooler… Winter has well and truly arrived in the U.K. and with it comes the desire to hunker down mid-week with some good old-fashioned comfort food, a glass of wine and Blue Planet on catch up!

Nothing can be more comforting than roast chicken and veggies… That’s why we believe that Monday should be the new Sunday!

Okay, we understand that you might not want to cook a full roast meal on a Monday evening after work, but in all honesty, if you throw your bird in the oven when you walk in the door, by the time you’ve changed into your civvies, sorted your to-do list for the next day and poured a glass of Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc, your chicken will be almost cooked. Make things easier for yourself… Substitute roast potatoes for creamy, mashed spuds and stir fry some seasonal veggies to keep things simple.

The good news is that the leftovers from your Monday evening meal, can be used in all sorts of thrifty domestic god/goddess ways, to create some fabulous mid-week winter warmers… Try one of these recipes:

A lovely mustardy bake with roast chicken and broccoli.
Warm things up with this spicy chicken and chorizo jambalaya.
These cheesy chicken crispbakes are easy to make mid-week, serve with a simple side salad.
Roast some Kumara and fill them with a tasty, creamy chicken mixture. View the recipe here.
Get double thrifty by stripping the meat from your chicken and boiling up the carcass to make your own stock. Then make some heartwarming roast chicken soup.

All of these meals need just one extra ingredient to make them perfect, a chilled glass of Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. You may even manage to make one bottle stretch to two nights!

Head to your local Majestic Wines store in the UK to find yours.

Why Sauvignon Blanc and Autumn pair perfectly…

October 5, 2017 by Sarah

Autumn has most definitely arrived in the UK. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your beloved Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for winter reds… Indeed not, at Fairbourne, we believe that your favourite varietal transcends all seasons, and tastes just as perfect while sipped by the fireside, as it does quaffed by the poolside!

Here are three ways to enjoy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc even though the temperatures outside may have cooled:

A super soup – A warming bowl of soup makes the perfect lunchtime treat. But a seafood chowder is wholesome enough for a main meal supper time too! A great chowder doesn’t need to be complex, simply pick up some fish pie mix from the seafood counter at your favourite supermarket and a packet of cooked, mixed seafood from the freezer department, and everything else you need is probably in the fridge or the store cupboard. We love this recipe from the BBC Good Food website. It’s simple and fast to prepare.

A smashing salad – Just because the cooler climes are here you don’t have to give up on your salad, simply warm things up a little bit. This Trio of Warm Seafood Salad, uses mussels, halibut and scallops; and would pair beautifully with Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

A Sunday Roast – It’s no secret that seafood is a natural accompaniment for Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be reserved exclusively for the fish course. Its versatility and easy drinking nature also ensures it is very much at home with white meats, and what could make a warmer welcome for Autumn than a juicy roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings? Delight your Sunday lunch guests with a bottle of Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for social sipping. Head to your local Majestic Wines store in the UK to find yours.

How to host the perfect Barbecue…

July 5, 2017 by admin

It’s official the U.K. summer has arrived, with a wee heatwave last month, it could be the start of something good, and it’s even been dry for Wimbledon so far!

As things officially start to heat up, it’s time to roll out the Barbecue. As Antipodeans we’re used to cooking, eating and entertaining outside, so we thought we’d share our top tips on how to host the perfect barbecue.

Start with the guest list – Work out how many can you cater for your place? Remember that you can keep things informal at a barbecue, let it run all afternoon or all evening. So you may find guests dip in and out of your soiree at different times, meaning you can invite a few more bodies than your pad could handle at a sit down formal supper.
Plan a stonking menu – Think beyond the humble sausage and burger. Choose chicken, fish or seafood to pair with Fairbourne premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This website features some awesome recipes… Including these divine Monkfish Kebabs. Don’t forget to check your guests dietary requirements and include some vegetarian options. Remember that whilst the grill is the star of the show it also needs some supporting acts, so don’t skip the side dishes.
Be prepared – The great thing about barbecue food is that much of it can be prepared in advance. Your meats will love marinades and your salads will rest superbly as long as you keep them cool. So do as much as you can the night before. If you learned to be prepared in the Scouts, you may also have learned that lighting a fire (or a grill) is not always the easiest thing to do, especially if a breeze is blowing… So have plenty of charcoal and fire lighters on hand.
Check the weather – Yes it’s been a pretty decent start to summer, but remember the U.K. can be unpredictable. Think about borrowing or hiring a gazebo just in case things take a turn for the worse.
Order your wine – Head to your local Majestic Wines store in the UK to find Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc.

A Day at the Races…

May 25, 2017 by admin

It’s official the sun is shining in the UK, and the summer racing calendar is fast approaching!

Known as the Sport of Kings, British horse racing is quite rightly associated with the elegance of a bygone era. Three summer meetings that stand out for their style, glamour and socialising are;

The Investec Derby Festival – Epsom – Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd June
Royal Ascot – Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th June
Qatar Goodwood Festival – Glorious Goodwood – Tuesday 1st to Saturday 5th August

If you’re planning to attend, ladies will need fascinators and frocks; with morning suit and top hats the sartorial statement for gents. Don’t forget a pocket of cash that you’re happy to lose or thrilled to accumulate, depending on your luck!

Is there anything more quintessentially British than a summer picnic? Thankfully, most race meetings will allow you to picnic in certain enclosures or areas.

At The Investec Derby Festival race goers are allowed to take picnics into the Lonsdale Enclosure (when open) and the Hill. – Read More.

At Royal Ascot picnics are permitted in the Windsor and Heath Enclosures only. Queen Anne Enclosure, Village Enclosure and Royal Enclosure guests are welcome to enjoy a picnic in car and coach parks – Read More.

At Qatar Goodwood Festival you may picnic within the limits of your car parking space. There is a Three Furlong Picnic Car Park where you can reserve a berth on the rails at the three-furlong point. – Read More.

With that in mind we thought we’d share our top three tips for a perfect race day picnic hamper:

Keep it bite size – Nobody wants to end up with egg on their face or their frock… So bite-size canapes are the perfect solution!
Save some for later – Make sure your picnic hamper is well chilled so you can crack it open for second servings at the end of the day whilst waiting for the traffic to disperse.
Don’t forget the wine – Cool and refreshing, a vibrant Sauvignon Blanc says summer at first sip! Head to your local Majestic Wines store in the UK to find Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc.