Glassware

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.

New Year Resolutions to help get the most from your Sauvignon Blanc!

January 4, 2017 by Sarah

Happy New Year! With 2017 now upon us it’s time to start thinking about those New Year resolutions.

At Fairbourne we think New Year’s resolutions should be less about abstaining and more about fulfilling. If you’re going to have a tipple make it count and enjoy it! This New Year’s resolution post is all about getting the most from your Sauvignon Blanc.

Resolve to choose the right glass – Remember 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.
Resolve to keep your cool – Chilling our Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to serve between 14 and 16°C (52 and 61°F) will delight your taste buds!
Resolve to step away from the salmon… sometimes – Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is extremely versatile. It’s true that it has the capacity to honour plain, simple seafood, fresh oysters and steamed mussels, as well as salmon. But 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.
Resolve to store some Fairbourne for next New Year – Unlike many Sauvignon Blanc wines, Fairbourne will be as good, if not better by the end of 2017. Wine Orbit recently re-reviewed our Fairbourne 15, saying it was “A tightly structured sauvignon offering cellaring potential”.
Resolve to buy 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.

ORDER YOURS HERE!

Five inspired Father’s day gifts for wine lovers…

August 25, 2015 by admin

fairbourne-gift-box Father’s Day, a celebration honouring fathers, celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society was inaugurated in the United States in the early 20th century to complement Mother’s Day. The day we celebrate this occasion in New Zealand, falls on the first Sunday in September. With that date (6th September) not far away, it’s time to think about how you’re going to spoil Dad this year.

We’ve done the research so you don’t have to… If your Dad loves wine, he’ll love these gifts… In no particular order;

For the cyclist – Bicycle Wine Rack – This handmade tan leather bicycle wine rack is perfect for taking wine with you on the go. It easily attaches to most bike frames with antique brass fasteners, while the hidden clamps hold the bottle securely.
For the gracious host – Wine Barrel Platters – Clever craftsmanship and a love of rustic charm, prove to be the perfect mix when working with beautiful retired wine barrels sourced from wineries throughout New Zealand.
For the perfectionist – Spiegelau White Wine Glasses – Perfect wine tastes better in the perfect glass; find out why HERE
For the collector – Smythson Mara Collection Hard Bound Cellar Book – The man who loves to collect fine wine will want to record it diligently. These cellar books are the most beautiful we have found.
Premium Hand Picked Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – From Fairbourne – We’ll always save the best until last….

Getting the most out of your Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

February 19, 2015 by admin

When you buy your Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from the store, or have it delivered to your door by us! We want you to really enjoy it at its best, so here are a few things to help you do just that… Believe us when we say you’ll taste the difference!

Let it rest a while… It has had a journey let it put it’s feet up… Our hand-picked premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has a Stelvin Lux Screwcap, so you don’t need to lie it on its side you can store it any way you want. However, if you’re not planning to drink it straight away avoid light, vibration, and temperature fluctuation (store between 10 and 16°C (50 and 61°F).
Chill out… Chilling our Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to serve between 14 and 16°C (52 and 61°F) will delight your taste buds!
Pick your vessel carefully… Remember not all wine glasses are created equally. 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.
Remember the importance of the 5 S’s… See, Swirl, Smell, Sip and Savour, check our Russell’s wine tasting tips here.
Enjoy your food… Our blog is chock a block full of delicious recipes that are great matches for our Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc, as a general rule of thumb fresh oysters, steamed mussels and salmon pair beautifully with Fairbourne.

Cheers! Bottoms Up! Salute! Santé! – Russell & Sarah.

We have a winner!

August 5, 2014 by Sarah

One of our lucky Facebook fans has a reason to celebrate with Sauvignon Blanc!

Congratulations to Claire Walkinshaw from Cromwell, winner of our first Facebook promotion. Claire wins a pair of Spiegelau Authentis White Wine Glasses, perfect to enjoy a glass of our premium, elegant, hand-picked Fairbourne wine, with its vibrant and expressive fruit flavours and smooth dry finish.

When it comes to wine glasses, one size most definitely doesn’t fit all; a wine’s bouquet, taste, balance and finish are all affected by the shape of the glass from which it is consumed. A wine will display completely different characteristics when served in different glasses. We’re often asked, “What’s the best glass to serve premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in?” A recent blog post written when we launched the Facebook promotion answers that very question, read it HERE.

Stay tuned for more Fairbourne Facebook promotions. If you LIKE our page you’ll be the first to find out all about them.

In the meantime it’s “Cheers to Claire!”

Not all wine glasses are created equal…

July 3, 2014 by Sarah

We’re often asked, “What’s the best glass to serve premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in?”

When selecting your glassware it’s important to consider that glass shape can provide a unique experience for drinking your wine.

One glass is not ideal for all styles of wine; a wine’s bouquet, taste, balance and finish are all affected by the shape of the glass from which it is consumed. A wine will display completely different characteristics when served in different glasses.
These differences can be so great, that when the same wine is served in several different glasses, even experienced wine connoisseurs believe that they are tasting as many different wines as there are glasses.

Grape varietals carry in their DNA unmistakeable flavor profiles, which adds to the importance of selecting the appropriate glass.

Grape varietal specific stemware has to translate the “message” of the wine to the human senses.

There are 4 sensations in wine.

Bouquet: Grape varietal specific stemware is responsible for delivering the quality and intensity of the wine’s aroma.
Texture: Grape varietal specific stemware highlights the exciting and diverse styles of “mouthfeel” in wine (watery, creamy, silky, velvety).
Flavour: Grape varietal specific stemware creates a balanced interaction between the fruit, minerality, acidity and bitter components of a wine.
Finish: Grape varietal specific stemware offers a pleasant, seamless, harmonious, and long lasting aftertaste.

For Two Tails premium Sauvignon Blanc we’d recommend the Spiegelau Authentis White Wine Glass. Made for cool crisp, floral white wines.

We have a pair of these wonderful wine glasses to give away, and you can enter the draw over on our Facebook page. ENTER HERE.

Our thanks to Macvine International for providing this superb Spiegelau glassware.

If you are interested in any of these Spiegelau glasses please contact:
Vicky Bouwhuis – vicky@macvine.co.nz or 027-2222-878
www.facebook.com/macvineintl