Fairbourne Estate

Premium Sauvignon Blanc

How to choose a stand out Sauvignon Blanc

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There’s no doubt about it; New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has certainly tantalised the taste buds of the world. A flagship varietal that represents New Zealand in many overseas markets its popularity knows no bounds. Two years ago in the U.K., a survey of 400,000 people found the grape comes top in every British town, city and county – except (for some reason) Berkshire. Its fast rise up the hit parade in the U.S. show it to be a very serious contender to the housewife’s favourite, Chardonnay.

The popularity of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc can be attributed to many things, it has a versatility with food that makes it easy to pair with dinner party favourites, and of course it has a tantalising fresh acidity that is quite unique.

But how do you pick a superior Sauvignon Blanc? You pick Fairbourne of course! This is what makes it stand out from the crowd…

Fairbourne Premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, is terroir inspired from a single vineyard. What does that mean? Well, it 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. The grapes are hand-picked for elegant and refined flavours.

Fairbourne Premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, is hand harvested. 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 focussed aroma spectrum and better express the nuances of the vineyard with a clear and powerful varietal expression.

Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc consistently earns 5* reviews. Bob Campbell – Master of Wine, Sam Kim and Raymond Chan have all scored five out of the previous six vintages with five stars. Reviews just in for the 2016 vintage are all 5* reviews.
Bob Campbell says impressive purity.
Raymond Chan describes it as sheer finesse.
Sam Kim extols its seductive savoury nuances.
Michael Cooper reckons it’s one of the best yet!
Read the latest reviews in full HERE.

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

4 reasons that you should be drinking Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc

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fairbourneFairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was recently recommended in an article by the Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society. The post is a great read and reveals the truth that Sauvignon Blanc enjoys its reputation and popularity with the ladies.Read the full article HERE.

Fortunately, there are still many of you out there with good taste. A survey carried out last year in the UK, of 400,000 people found the Sauvignon Blanc grape is top choice in every British town, city and county – (except for some strange reason Berkshire).

If you haven’t yet discovered the delights of Fairbourne Premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc… Here are 4 reasons you should.

  1. Fairbourne Premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, is terroir inspired from a single vineyard. What does that mean? Well, it 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.
  2. The grapes used to make Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc are hand-picked for elegant and refined flavours. Most new world Sauvignon Blanc, including Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, is machine harvested. 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.
  3. Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc consistently earns 5* reviews… As an example our 2014 vintage scored 5*, (between 93-100 on the 100 point scale, and between 18.5 to 20.0 on the 20 point scale), from esteemed wine critics Raymond Chan, Bob Campbell, Wine Orbit and Michael Cooper.
  4. Our wine is extremely versatile. It has the capacity to honour plain, simple seafood, fresh oysters and steamed mussels, as well as salmon. Pair it 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.

You can buy yours HERE, and we’ll deliver free throughout New Zealand.

Or contact your local Majestic Wines in the UK.

3 Reasons Sauvignon Blanc & Summer go together perfectly

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Summertime is ripe for adventure and relaxation, and somewhat Yin and Yang with New Year which brings with it bountiful energy and a determination to fulfil our hopes and dreams.  Whether you’re headed for the beach or bush, summer’s heat puts on the go slow, giving us every reason to take a break and refocus.  It’s time to unwind with friends and family with a barbecue at the beach, and a crisp chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc to restore your inner harmony.

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When the mercury rises we know it’s time to reach for something ice-cold and refreshing, and a vibrant Sauvignon Blanc says summer at first sniff.  Day or night, whether you’re hosting a leisurely lunch or barbecuing up a storm, a zesty, fruity ‘Sav’ is simply perfect summer drinking.

Here are 3 reasons to have your fridge brimming with Sauvignon Blanc!

  • Eating al fresco is the season’s greatest delight, and there’s nothing more joyful than seeking the shade of a tree laden with a picnic, rug and delicious chilled wine.  Hot summer days at the beach or the river, and balmy star filled evenings are virtuous reason to eat, drink and be merry and celebrate our magnificent Kiwi summer.
  • Crisp and elegant, Sauvignon Blanc hits the high notes with its explosive aromatic personality.  Its clean taste and herbal mineral finish mean it’s a foolproof wine to drink with food.  There’s a reason Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world’s favourite go-to grapes.  Just unscrew directly from the fridge for impromptu summer sipping.
  • Just like the holidays Sauvignon Blanc uncomplicated and fun, and the ideal match for some of summer’s freshest fare.  Its famous ‘zing’ a delightful complement to the flavours of freshly caught seafood, shellfish and crunchy summer salads.  What better assail on the senses than whitebait fritters washed down with a fruity straight shooter.

Fairbourne Sauvignon Blanc is unique and terroir inspired. It is carefully blended, including a small portion barrel fermented in new French oak, this creates a silky entry, which generously ascends across the palate with a supple texture and dry finish.  We think it’s just the ticket for every summer occasion. Buy yours HERE.

What is Terroir?

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Have you ever wondered what Terroir means? Look it up in a dictionary and you’ll be given a definition that reads something like this…

The complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate.

But Sarah and I believe it’s more than that, as well as a sense of place, our interpretation of the word includes a sense of behaviour and a sense of culture.

Whilst it’s true that in terms of terroir, a wine’s flavour and structural characteristics can reflect soil types and climate; it can also reflect the nature of the winemaker and importantly the processes they adopt.

When we introduced Fairbourne to the discerning London market, the client was looking for a new world wine to bridge the gap between the popular “Marlborough style” and their serious Sancerre wines of the Loire Valley. Looking for a wine that represented where it was grown, the ability to age gracefully and some of the vibrancy of new world Sauvignon Blanc. Fairbourne was the wine they chose to meet that new market segment and we have been supplying for the past 6 vintages. Consistency is also sought after by buyers looking at super premium wines.

We committed Fairbourne to varietal specialisation and sustainably managed vines to grow consistent, site specific premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Our grapes are hand-picked from a single site and grown on a hillside vineyard with clay gravel soils. Restraint is the key influence of the Fairbourne winemaking philosophy. Grapes are fermented as site batches with neutral yeast to capture their individual fruit and site expressions. Fermentation is managed in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks over a four week period. The batches are carefully blended, including a small portion barrel fermented in new French oak, this creates a silky entry, which generously ascends across the palate with a supple texture and dry finish.

Because our wines are terroir inspired, it probably serves as no surprise, that Sarah and I have always been intrigued by Sancerre; we’re excited to be heading to the Loire Valley in a few weeks time to ensconce ourselves in a French harvest. We’ll be sharing our travels on the blog, so stay tuned… There will undoubtedly be some culinary delights to share!

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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

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