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Three things you might not know about Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc

October 10, 2018 by admin

At Fairbourne we do things a little differently to some other Sauvignon Blanc winemakers. Whenever one considers the great wines around the world, and inevitably Europe, there are some common characteristics, they are style and site specific. From the outset we decided we would hand-pick grapes from a single vineyard and produce a terroir inspired Sauvignon Blanc, the ancient clay gravel soils where the vines grow, define Fairbourne’s unique style.

The methods we employ, not to mention the love, passion and skill that Sarah has for her winemaking craft, means that there are some things you may not know about Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc… So, let us enlighten you.

  • Fairbourne ages well – Unlike, some Sauvignon Blanc wines, which should generally be drunk within a year or 2 of vintage date, you can cellar a Fairbourne Premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for up to ten years. Our wine is naturally lower in sugar, and less acidic, so the complex layers mature gracefully.
  • Not just an aperetif – A chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc is often considered as simply a refreshing aperetif before moving on to the main event. At Fairbourne our wine is crafted to be enjoyed with food. It is, of course, a wonderful apéritif to serve with canapés. But, it can also honour a starter, especially seafood or smoked salmon. It also pairs beautifully with white meats like chicken, turkey, goose and pork, and can accompany your cheese course… Goat cheese, a delicious Chevre, and Sauvignon Blanc, is a match made in heaven.
  • Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc consistently earns 5* reviews – Restraint is the key influence of the Fairbourne winemaking philosophy. That’s one of the reasons we produce wines that are consistently reviewed as five-star offerings by the industry’s top wine experts. Here is Raymond Chan’s review for Fairbourne 2017…

    Bright, light straw-yellow colour with pale green tints, lighter on the edge.  The nose has an elegantly concentrated and taut core of aromatic gooseberries and fragrant white florals with an amalgam of fresh herbs, snow peas, unveiling cooler nettle and mineral notes.  The aromatics are refined with a mouthwatering and penetrating intensity.  Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is sleek and finely concentrated with a heart of gooseberry fruit entwined with fresh herbs, nettles and cut-grass, unfolding white florals and minerals.  The palate flows along a fine line with electric tension from the zesty acidity, leading to a lingering finish of gooseberries and nettles.  This is a refined and elegantly concentrated Sauvignon Blanc with gooseberry fruit and cool-spectrum notes, white florals and minerals on a racy palate.  Serve with seafood and Pacific Rim fare over the next 2-3 years.

 

Filed Under: Fairbourne, Sauvignon Blanc

It’s White Wine Day

August 1, 2018 by admin

The 3rd of August celebrates White Wine Day! Of course, there are many varieties of white wine, but at Fairbourne, we concentrate on just one… Sauvignon Blanc! Our Sauvignon Blanc stands out from the crowd because we make it somewhat differently, we make premium, handpicked, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

The difference between hand harvested Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and that harvested by machine is monumental. Flavour and palate texture from hand-harvested Sauvignon Blanc is far more expressive, and the wine has greater length. Sauvignon Blanc grapes have very “wild/savage” characters. Hand harvesting lessens juice contact with the more aggressive and phenolic characters of crushed skins, bunch stalks and petioles. Therefore, hand harvested grapes can produce a more focused aroma spectrum and better express the nuances of the vineyard with a clear and powerful varietal expression.

If you’re going to celebrate White Wine Day, (something we feel should be encouraged), might we suggest that Fairbourne Premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc would make the perfect tipple!

Here are three tips to help you celebrate White Wine Day!

  • 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 can 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 flavours also compliment spicy and ethnic cuisines.

Wherever, and however, you choose to celebrate White Wine Day; we’d like to raise a glass to you!

If you’re based in New Zealand Check out our list of stockists to find your Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc, and if you’re in the U.K. head to your local Majestic Wines store.

 

Filed Under: Fairbourne, Hand Picked, Sauvignon Blanc

Fairbourne 2017 is here

July 17, 2018 by Sarah

Exciting news, Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 has been released for your drinking pleasure!

Fairbourne regulars will know that restraint is the key influence of the Fairbourne winemaking philosophy. That’s one of the reasons we produce wines that are consistently reviewed as five-star offerings by the industry’s top wine experts. Here is Raymond Chan’s review for Fairbourne 2017…


Bright, light straw-yellow colour with pale green tints, lighter on the edge.  The nose has an elegantly concentrated and taut core of aromatic gooseberries and fragrant white florals with an amalgam of fresh herbs, snow peas, unveiling cooler nettle and mineral notes.  The aromatics are refined with a mouthwatering and penetrating intensity.  Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is sleek and finely concentrated with a heart of gooseberry fruit entwined with fresh herbs, nettles and cut-grass, unfolding white florals and minerals.  The palate flows along a fine line with electric tension from the zesty acidity, leading to a lingering finish of gooseberries and nettles.  This is a refined and elegantly concentrated Sauvignon Blanc with gooseberry fruit and cool-spectrum notes, white florals and minerals on a racy palate.  Serve with seafood and Pacific Rim fare over the next 2-3 years.


We can promise you, once again, a wine that is supple across the palate with a generous mouth-feel; together with vibrant and expressive fruit flavours leading to a smooth dry finish.

The 2017 vintage promises a delightful sensory experience for the drinker. You will enjoy a delicate floral aroma with white peach notes, and subtle mineral tones, while tasting stone fruit and citrus flavours.

As with all our vintages, we encourage you to enjoy Fairbourne 2017 with food. Fresh oysters and clams are a natural accompaniment to Sauvignon Blanc. Salmon pairs well with Fairbourne, as does a fresh, citrus drizzled salad with asparagus and feta. This is easy drinking wine, compatible with fresh and fragrantly spiced cuisine. Check out the back catalogue of recipes for some of our favourite ways to enjoy Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc. In the past, we’ve included some mid-week meals we regularly use at home, because we think you should be able to enjoy a glass of wine with supper every night!

You can download the Fairbourne 2017 tasting notes HERE. We have limited stock of the 2017 vintage, so while we’re not selling it online, you can contact us if you would like to order some.

For Fairbourne fans in the U.K., our 2017 vintage hasn’t quite hit your shores, it will be shipped over the next month and should hit the shelves of Majestic by the end of September. In the mean time you can still buy the well-reviewed 2016 wine HERE. As you’re having such a stellar summer, if you haven’t yet rolled out the barbecue, now’s the time to start! If you are pairing your feast with Fairbourne, think beyond the humble sausage and burger. Choose chicken, fish or seafood to delight your guests. This website features some awesome barbecue recipes.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Fairbourne

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.

Filed Under: Fairbourne, Fairbourne in the UK, Hand Picked, Ideas, 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.

Filed Under: Fairbourne, Fairbourne in the UK, Ideas, Menu Inspiration, Recipes, 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.

Filed Under: Fairbourne, Fairbourne in the UK, Sauvignon Blanc, Shop Online

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.

 

Filed Under: Fairbourne, Fairbourne in the UK, Glassware, Ideas, Sauvignon Blanc, Shop Online

Make it a Happy New Year!

January 5, 2018 by admin

We know it’s customary at this time of year to make a few resolutions, but at Fairbourne, we think those New Year’s pledges should be less about abstaining from the things you enjoy, and more about appreciating those things even more, thus ensuring your 2018 is a happy one! So with that in mind, we have three New Year’s Resolutions to help you relish every sip of your Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

  1. Resolve to ignore dry January – We’ve heard it’s become a thing…! No matter whether you’re in the Southern or Northern hemisphere January is a tricky time of year to go teetotal! If you’re in the Southern hemisphere you are mid-summer and with that comes all the social get-togethers of the season. If you’re in the Northern hemisphere, January is generally cold, dark and miserable, and taking away the treat of a tipple or two just makes it more melancholy! So rather than abstain altogether, choose to drink better and embrace quality over quantity, by selecting the very best Sauvignon Blanc. 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.
  2. Resolve to try new food and wine pairings – We believe that good wine is made to be drunk with good food! Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is extremely versatile. While it’s true that it pairs beautifully with seafood, fresh oysters, steamed mussels, and salmon. It also pairs with white meats like chicken and pork, and even if these are served with herb sauces or rubs the Sauvignon Blanc holds it own. The wine’s vibrant flavors also compliment spicy and ethnic cuisines.
  3. Resolve to let your wine evolve – Unlike many Sauvignon Blanc wines, Fairbourne 2016 will be as good, if not better by the end of this year, the year after, and the year after that! Raymond Chan recently re-reviewed our Fairbourne 13, it kept its five-star rating, and Raymond said it was… “better with bottle age.” Buy a case of Fairbourne, and drink a bottle on the same day each year for the next six years to see how gracefully the complex layers mature.

Here’s to a Happy New Year!

 

Filed Under: Fairbourne, Sauvignon Blanc

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!

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

Filed Under: Fairbourne, Fairbourne in the UK, Gifts, Glassware, Ideas

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.

Filed Under: Fairbourne, Fairbourne in the UK, Ideas, Menu Inspiration, Recipes, Sauvignon Blanc

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Sauvignon Blanc

Here at Fairbourne Estate we make premium, handpicked, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The word Sauvignon is a derivative from the French word Sauvage meaning wild or savage and of course the word blanc is the French word for white. The wild or … Read More

A little spice is very nice!

16th January marks International Hot & Spicy Food Day! While it’s common to reach for a beer when you're eating a … [Read More...]

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