They're drinking my wine everywhere

AN NZWineNews BLOG

By GRAHAM HAWKES

We all know the astonishing recent growth of the global reputation of New Zealand wine, that’s a given.

But at times you are stopped in your tracks when the web throws up a wine you’ve never heard of, but it’s from Marlborough, it's called 13 Celcius and it costs $US15 in South Carolina.

And on top of that, the winemaker was identified (in the wine review I was reading on the web!) as James Foster, who teased out “Marlborough’s vibrant aromatics of bright citrus, a crisp edge of minerality and sweet herbs which highlight the refined acidity and refreshing finish of an iconic Marlborough sauvignon blanc”. 
“Wow ... (I thought) ...I need to taste this” but it turns out to be a wine that is a production of The Wine Group, Livermore, California and it was being reviewed by a South Carolina local wine buyer, Mike Holmstrom.

The Wine Group was established in 1981 and is the world’s third-largest wine producer by volume. It’s a privately-held, management-owned company and for its 13 Celcius wine it tapped into Vintage 2013 in Marlborough, which as we know was the result of a long, dry summer with balanced and well-ripened fruit. 

The fruit was harvested in cool evening conditions and pressed immediately with minimal skin contact. TWG says James Foster opted for a 100 per cent bladder-press technique to reduce bitterness. Fermenting the juice at 13 degrees Celsius in small stainless steel tanks for more than 15 days allowed James to carefully preserve delicate aromatics. 

“Additionally, a portion of the cuvee received extended Sur-Lie contact to lift the mid-palate and elongate the elegant structure. Before bottling, the final blend received minimal filtration to create a modern classic Marlborough wine.”

So there we have it...they’re drinking our wine over there, and both American wine sellers and buyers no doubt love it. But I want to drink it too. Dammit! It’s my wine. Well, not exactly my wine, but it’s our wine...we should be sent samples from the US to ensure it’s being well looked after. What if it’s not being cared for properly and Americans sample it and go ‘bleuccch’? I guess we have to trust them.

Mike Holmstrom, the reviewer for the SC Times says the wine on the palate “shows citrus notes accentuated by pleasant herbal notes and is very elegant with bright acidity, making a versatile food partner. This is a great wine to serve with shrimp cocktail with fresh avocado and also pairs superbly with snapper and risotto.”

At least I can go out and buy the snapper, and then perhaps mix it with another wine - one that’s available here!

Well, that’s the price of fame.