Marlborough, Sicily
When most people think of New Zealand wine, the first thing that comes to mind will be Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This one variety more than any other helped springboard New Zealand on to the world-wine scene.
The region is located on the northern end of the south island, nestled around the town of Blenheim, and for many years was a sheep region. It was Montana wines, who in 1973 planted the first vines in the region “too far south to grow good wine.” At the time the region was the southernmost region in the country, but nowadays Central Otago takes south to a whole new level.
Plenty of sunshine hours, relatively low rainfall and cool temperatures provide the perfect conditions for growing world-class Sauvignon Blanc the region is renowned for. Other whites grown include Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Sparkling wines. Pinot Noir dominates the red varieties grown, though is typically lighter bodied than Central Otago or Martinborough Pinots.
According to Greek legend, the god of wine Dionysus was the first to have planted a vineyard in Sicily; kick-starting the viticulture of the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It's one of the biggest wine producing regions in Italy with Veneto and Emilio Romagna the only two Italian regions that produce more. In all, the island has an impressive 134,000 hectares under vine although this area is shrinking year by year. This region produces a wide range of wines, both table and dessert wines and the grapes most famously grown there are the Nero d’Avola and Catorrato varietals. Nerello Mascalese is used to make the Etna Rosso DOC wine from the volcanic Mt Etna and Frappato is a the main grape of the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG.
Sicily is blessed with the most favorable climate. The summers are hot and it hardly rains, and the winters are not that cold and frost is rare. The Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing wine grapes as the coastal winds drying out grapes overnight. Because of the warm and relatively dry climate, there are less risk of rot and mildew among the grapes, so chemical sprays are rarely used. The soil of Sicily is rocky and enriched with minerals that absorb the heat during the day and release it at night, which helps the grape vines maintain an even temperature while the air around it gets cooler.
The region is located on the northern end of the south island, nestled around the town of Blenheim, and for many years was a sheep region. It was Montana wines, who in 1973 planted the first vines in the region “too far south to grow good wine.” At the time the region was the southernmost region in the country, but nowadays Central Otago takes south to a whole new level.
Plenty of sunshine hours, relatively low rainfall and cool temperatures provide the perfect conditions for growing world-class Sauvignon Blanc the region is renowned for. Other whites grown include Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Sparkling wines. Pinot Noir dominates the red varieties grown, though is typically lighter bodied than Central Otago or Martinborough Pinots.
According to Greek legend, the god of wine Dionysus was the first to have planted a vineyard in Sicily; kick-starting the viticulture of the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It's one of the biggest wine producing regions in Italy with Veneto and Emilio Romagna the only two Italian regions that produce more. In all, the island has an impressive 134,000 hectares under vine although this area is shrinking year by year. This region produces a wide range of wines, both table and dessert wines and the grapes most famously grown there are the Nero d’Avola and Catorrato varietals. Nerello Mascalese is used to make the Etna Rosso DOC wine from the volcanic Mt Etna and Frappato is a the main grape of the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG.
Sicily is blessed with the most favorable climate. The summers are hot and it hardly rains, and the winters are not that cold and frost is rare. The Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing wine grapes as the coastal winds drying out grapes overnight. Because of the warm and relatively dry climate, there are less risk of rot and mildew among the grapes, so chemical sprays are rarely used. The soil of Sicily is rocky and enriched with minerals that absorb the heat during the day and release it at night, which helps the grape vines maintain an even temperature while the air around it gets cooler.
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Spinning Top Wines reflect the simple pleasures that can be derived from nature. Sourcing the wines from three distinctive Marlborough sub regions (Waihopai, Wairau, Awatere) allows Spinning Top to pinpoint exactly the precise characteristics they wish to reflect. Clean, joyful ... Learn MoreSpinning Top Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020$14.99 Per item -
Grapes for this wine were grown in the Ngatapa Valley region of Gisborne district where dry-farming practices have been employed for over 75 years. Post-harvest the grapes and juice were processed with care to maximise fruit flavour and intensity. The resulting ... Learn MoreKopu Gisbourne Pinot Gris 2021$19.99 Per item -
Grapes for this wine were grown in the Ngatapa Valley region of Gisborne district where dry-farming practices have been employed for over 75 years. Post-harvest the grapes and juice were processed with care to maximise fruit flavour and intensity. The resulting ... Learn MoreKopu Gisbourne Pinot Gris 2020$19.99 Per item -
This Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from lower-yielding vineyards on the hillside slopes for greater intensity and whole bunch pressed. The nose is fresh and delicate with restrained aromas of gooseberry and freshly grown grass given complexity by river-stone and white ... Learn MoreBlack Cottage Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021$20.99 Per item -
Soil type is brown clay over limestone. The grapes were handpicked: Zibibbo in mid-August and early September for the Syrah. The Zibibbo was pressed and kept very cold halting fermentation in tank. When the Syrah came in it was quickly ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Raphael' Rosato Sicilia 2020$21.99 Per item -
"In the Book of Tobias, an ancient Hebrew text, Asmodeus is the Demon of Lust. It is said that when Cain killed Abel, Adam and Eve separated for 130 years. During this time, Adam was tempted by Naamah and Lillith, two ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Asmodeus' Nero D'Avola Sicilia 2019$21.99 Per item -
Soil type is brown clay over limestone. The grapes were handpicked: Zibibbo in mid-August and early September for the Syrah. The Zibibbo was pressed and kept very cold halting fermentation in tank. When the Syrah came in it was quickly ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Raphael' Rosato Sicilia 2018$21.99 Per item -
Aromatic cherry and blueberry on the nose, which leads into a full fleshy palate of plums, prunes and blackberries entwined with a soft coating of tannin. Fruit was sourced from an 9 year old vineyard on northern aspect from the province ... Learn MoreBabo Nero D'Avola 2018$23.99 Per item -
Aromatic cherry and blueberry on the nose, which leads into a full fleshy palate of plums, prunes and blackberries entwined with a soft coating of tannin. Fruit was sourced from an 9 year old vineyard on northern aspect from the province ... Learn MoreBabo Nero D'Avola 2017$23.99 Per item -
Always up there as the finest 2 or 3 Sauvignons in Marlborough every year, Greywacke emphasise ripeness in the vineyard to produce a sophisticated and satisfying style of Sauvignon Blanc. Crafted by former Cloudy Bay founding winemaker Kevin Judd, with able assistance ... Learn MoreGreywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2021$24.99 Per item -
Considered to be one of New Zealand's finest producers, Astrolabe have built their reputation on consistently producing exceptional wines. One of my favourite Astrolabe wines is the 2019 Astrolabe Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc. It’s quite a ripe example of the ... Learn MoreAstrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2020$26.00 Per item -
Lifted aromas of nashi pear, raspberry, red apple and white florals. The nose follows through to the palate with the same flavours along with savoury undertones which are balanced by fine, supple texture and lingering minerality. Enjoyable to drink now ... Learn MoreTe Whare Ra Pinot Gris 2020$26.99 Per item -
Shows distinctive Awatere characters of elderflower, guava, white currant, lemongrass and passion fruit coupled with lovely ripe tropicals and hints of basil and lime from Wairau components. The nose follows through to the palate - which is fine and soft ... Learn MoreTe Whare Ra Sauvignon Blanc 2020$26.99 Per item -
Classic strong citrus characters with lemon and grapefruit prominent, complimented by elderflowers, with smoky and flinty undertones. A juicy and vibrant palate of pure citrus flavours leaving a lengthy finish with refreshing, balanced acidity. Ideally enjoyed as a young wine, ... Learn MoreDog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2020$26.99 Per item -
Sourced from the Southern Valleys with some fruit from the Awatere Valley. This Pinot Noir went through 100% stainless steel fermentation and was hand plunged. This brought out the perfumed berry fruit as well as increasing the silky mouthfeel of the ... Learn MoreBlack Cottage Pinot Noir 2020$26.99 Per item -
Has the aromatic spice and weight of Gewurztraminer, the structure and length of Riesling, and the great texture of Pinot Gris in a perfectly balanced 75%/16%/9% blend. It is a delicious, co-fermented field blend from a single vineyard. This 2021 Toru has ... Learn MoreTe Whare Ra Single Vineyard 5182 Toru 2021$29.99 Per item -
2021 was one of the best vintages in the Wairau Valley in recent years and this wine truly reflects that. Vibrant, fresh lemon and grapefruit, ripe stone and tropical fruits and a floral element on the nose. Highly aromatic, as is ... Learn MoreDog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2021$29.99 Per item -
A rather hedonistic nose suggests ripe pears, fresh peach and oatmeal while the palate is taught and chalky with nectarine, pear and iodine notes and a driven freshness. Unmistakably Marlborough for its cleansing hit of salty goodness, this is harmonious, ... Learn MoreCorafin 'Meltwater' Marlborough Chardonnay 2019$29.99 Per item -
A deliciously succulent and rich Riesling from experts in classic Marlborough varietals. Grown organically near the mouth of Brancott Valley, this vibrant and not strictly dry Riesling was grown on the kind of gravel and clay soils that are usually ... Learn MoreGreywacke Riesling 2019$35.00 Per item -
Section 94 is one of the world’s most distinct wines, and regularly named New Zealand’s greatest Sauvignon Blanc. Bright straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, lighter on edge. The bouquet is firmly concentrated with deep aromas of greengages, nectarines ... Learn MoreDog Point 'Section 94' Sauvignon Blanc 2015$35.00 Per item -
Intense and quite weighty sauvignon blanc with passionfruit, lime zest, gooseberry, red and green capsicum and subtle oyster-shell flavours, supported by deliciously tangy acidity that drives a lengthy finish. - Bob Campbell Established in 1985, Cloudy Bay was one of the ... Learn MoreCloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2021$36.99 Per item -
Established in 1985, Cloudy Bay was one of the first five wine makers to venture into Marlborough. The famed Marlborough producer's sparkling. It's one of the best consistently from over the ditch and has genuine French-like class. Sourcing Non-Vintage sparkling wine ... Learn MoreCloudy Bay Pelorus Sparkling Nv$37.99 Per item -
Graci, Sicily. Alberto Aiello Graci has been making wine on Sicily's Mount Etna since 2004, the year he returned from his apprenticeship as a Milan banker, picking up the baton with 5 hectares of family land, 2 hectares of which is vineyards (the ... Learn MoreGraci Etna Rosato Mount Etna Doc Sicily 2020$39.99 Per item -
Alberto Aiello Graci has been making wine on Sicily's Mount Etna since 2004, the year he returned from his apprenticeship as a Milan banker, picking up the baton with 5 hectares of family land, 2 hectares of which is vineyards (the rest polycultural ... Learn MoreGraci Etna Bianco Mount Etna Doc Sicily 2020$44.99 Per item -
Dog Point Pinot Noir is one of the icons of Marlborough and for good reason. Winemakers Ivan and James first began their journey in the NZ wine game by starting globally-acclaimed winery Cloudy Bay. They are maestro’s at producing ... Learn MoreDog Point Pinot Noir 2019$44.99 Per item -
COS produces some of the finest wines on the island from native grape varieties. This is predominantly Frappato with a splash of Nero d'Avola. ... Learn MoreCos 'Frappato' 2020$48.99 Per item -
“Guanciabianca” by Ferracane is a Catarratto with a clean and crystalline character, fruity and floral, vinified only in steel tanks. The nose is ripe white fruits, aromatic herbs and fresh almonds and the taste is pleasant, fresh, savory and balanced. ... Learn MoreFabio Ferracane Guanciabianca IGP Catarratto 2019$50.00 Per item -
A blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato from Sicily's south-east corner. A complex array of fruity and floral notes with aromas of black currant, blackberry, dried rose, rhubarb, Mediterranean, black pepper and tobacco. The nose follows into the mouth, with ... Learn MoreCos Cerasuolo Di Vittoria 2016$54.99 Per item -
Only 6,000 bottles are produced of this wine. This wine is the most alluring combination of styles that is reminiscent of both Pinot Noir & Nebbiolo at once. This wine is produced with grapes harvested in different vineyards; from a 60 years old ... Learn MoreAzienda Agricola Sofia 'Gioacchino' Etna Rosso 2018$59.99 Per item -
A ripe tropical and citrus bouquet, with underlying flinty minerality. In the mouth the wine is textural and rich from the lees aging with layers of minerals, lime, orange blossom and profound acidity balancing this dry, elegant wine. Ageing potential: 5 ... Learn MoreClos Henri Sauvignon Blanc 2018$59.99 Per item -
Thalia is a word of Sicilian dialect and resembles ‘look’ as in ‘look there!’ It is also the name of one of the Three Graces in ancient Greek history. ... Learn MoreTenuta di Aglaea Thalia Etna Rosso 2016$64.99 Per item -
Thalia is a word of Sicilian dialect and resembles ‘look’ as in ‘look there!’ It is also the name of one of the Three Graces in ancient Greek history. ... Learn MoreTenuta di Aglaea Thalia Etna Rosso 2015$64.99 Per item -
AROMA Fine and deep, introduced by Mediterranean citrusy sensations, followed by violet, bergamot, wet stones, forest leaves and elegant hints of white pepper. PALATE Juicy; progressive delicate tannins and vibrant acidity. Neat and savoury finish. ... Learn MoreGiovanni Rosso Etna Rosso Dop 2016$84.00 Per item
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