My gateway white wine was New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, so I’m always happy to try wines from down under (not exactly down under, but you know what I mean). I recently grabbed a bottle of 2017 Sea Pearl Sauvignon Blanc from ABC Fine Wine & Spirits for a midweek pick-me-up.

Sea Pearl Sauvignon Blanc, named after this New Zealand treasure, are crafted from fruit grown in the southern Wairau River valleys of Marlborough, within close proximity to the sea. The Sea Pearl vineyards have the Pacific Ocean to the east and hinterland mountains to the north and south. They take a purist approach to winemaking, making certain the vineyards are in perfect condition and harvesting at optimum ripeness, letting the fruit express itself with minimal intervention in the winery. Once picked, the grapes are immediately pressed off with minimal skin contact.  The resulting juice is cool fermented in stainless steel to retain freshness and aromatics.

The wine was pale yellow with a tinge of green. The aroma was very floral and fragrant, with guava and key lime. I tasted notes of citrus – lime and grapefruit in particular – with passion fruit and some grassiness to it. It’s dry and nicely balanced. A lovely sipping New Zealand Sauv Blanc – perfect for day-drinking or a day at the beach. You can find it at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits for a great value at $11.99.