This Wine Wednesday is dedicated to a truly accessible wine – a 2022 Sauvignon Blanc from Matua. This refreshing wine I picked up at a local shop during Christmas week. I choose it for number of reasons.

1. I wanted to have something light and friendly in the house.
2. I thought it would be a crowd pleaser with younger Generation Z relatives and less experienced wine drinkers.
3. The screwcap makes it easy for my Mom to open without having to use an opener and she loves white wine so I knew that it ticked more than one box for her – white wine and easy to open.
4. My sister was also around and she always likes Sauvignon Blanc so it seemed like a win-win.
5. The price was another factor. It retailed for around $12 at Wineland.

I was not disappointed, actually I was pleasantly surpised because I often do not gravitate towards New World Sauvignon Blanc or any Sauvignon Blanc to be honest. Rarely is it a go to wine for me. I went onto the winery’s website and read that it was the very first winery to plant the grape in New Zealand in 1974. Therefore they have lots of experience with the grape.

The winery which was started in the 1960s was family owned for many years and was run by two brothers Bill and Ross Spence. but was sold to a larger group in the early 2000s, Berringer-Blass Wine Estates invested in Matua Wines in 2001.

Tasting Note:

Lemon in color with tropical notes, and a hint of thyme on the nose. On the palate, the wine was refreshing and delicate, not over the top. It had nice acidity, a hint of something minty, with white stone fruits. Delicate and light, it also had a nice finish with a floral undertone.

Pairing:

I had it with a garden salad filled with tomato and cucumbers during the week and it was just what I needed during all of the holiday feasts. Everyone was happy and I will definitely be keeping more bottles of this wine around for such occasions. This would be a fun picnic wine too.

Travel to New Zealand:

I have never visited New Zealand. I have been to Australia and to Indonesia but have not yet made it to that beautiful country. It is high on my travel bucket lists. In the meantime, I have traveled there virutally through my wine glass. Here are some other posts on New Zealand that I have written through the years. Here is one on Pinot Noir, one on Chenin Blanc, one on wines from Waiheke Island, and one on Sauvignon Blanc.