At last, a taste of summer: a wine review by Michael Rowan

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Image courtesy of Michael Rowan

When it comes to wine I have to confess to being something of a traditionalist, reds from autumn to the end of winter and whites for spring and summer. This year the winter has seemed endless, until somewhat unexpectedly, we enjoyed the hottest day in April for some 70 years.

Such hot days call for the crisp green notes that are to be found in a glass of Sauvignon blanc, because what else speaks more of summer than freshly cut grass, Asparagus, Gooseberries and crisp green apples?

With this in mind I did not need any further encouragement to try three Sauvignon Blancs from Villa Maria.

Also as a traditionalist, it will come as no surprise to learn that in my opinion New Zealand, Marlborough has consistently produced some of the best Sauvignon Blancs currently on the market.

Villa Maria Private bin 2017 is a beautifully crisp wine, where juicy acidity is balanced with flavours of melon, passionfruit and ruby grapefruit.

At a RRP of £11.85 this is a bit of a steal and would be perfect with grilled seasonal vegetables or perhaps a mild creamy cheese.

I then tried the Villa Maria, 2017 which is part of the cellar selection and the somewhat modest label belies a wine bursting with aromas of passionfruit, melon, nettles and fresh herbs. The palate is powerful and juicy, displaying vibrant grapefruit notes and has lively yet balanced acidity on the palate.

The RRP for this wine is £13. 85 and I would have no hesitation in taking this to a posh picnic or simply enjoying it with fish and shell fish.

Like children one really shouldn’t have favourites and I would profess to liking each of the wines equally, for their different qualities. However, if I could only take one of these to my desert island I confess that it would have to be the Villa Maria Clifford Bay Reserve 2017.

This is classic Sauvignon Blanc with powerful bouquet of blackcurrants, nettles and grapefruit. Dry and flinty with hints of melon and fresh summer herbs this is a wine to refresh the palate and would match pretty much any food that you might associate with summer.

It has a RRP of £15.95 so maybe best drunk on a desert island, sitting on a beach under blue skies and blazing sun. Best of all you wouldn’t need to share