I’m not big on red wine, but between receiving media samples, gifts and buying wine for past parties, I have somehow amassed a large collection of it.
When I have parties, my apartment tends to heat up pretty quickly so unless the weather is very literally sub-zero, which is certainly not out of the question here, no one who comes over wants to drink red either.
So, I spend a lot of time shopping and looking for white wines to serve when I have parties or gatherings, need to contribute to a BYOB dinner or want to offer friends a glass of something when someone stops by.
When I was offered a sample of 2010 Nine Walks Sauvignon Blanc, I assumed it would be one I would want to share with you.
First, it has a story. The wine was inspired by The 9 Great Walks of New Zealand, one-of a kind walking and hiking trails know for their natural beauty and peaceful calmness. The 9 Great Walks have been said to “rejuvenate the soul,” which I won’t tell you this wine can do….but I also won’t tell you that it can’t.
Sauvignon Blancs, whether grassy, crisp or on the sweeter side, are excellent summer wines. Thought a lot of Sauvignon Blancs are a little too grassy for my liking, this one was the perfect combination of earthy and fruity, with hints of lime and melon.
One of my favorite qualities in a Savignon Blanc is when it tastes so bold it’s almost effervescent and for a hot minute, you think you’re drinking sparkling wine. This wine offers that, along with a light, crisp counter note that would lend it well for pairings with fish, salads or any light summer meals.
If you’re a fan of New Zealand wines or are looking for a simple white wine that at $10.99 won’t break the bank, this is a great option and it’s a little different than the other run-of-the-mill budget wines that you’ll find at your corner store.
Why should you drink this wine? Because it’s August. Because you work hard. Because unless you don’t drink wine, there’s no reason not to drink this wine. If you’re a serious wine drinker you’ll appreciate the quality to value ratio that this wine delivers. If you’re a casual wine drinker with a discerning palate, this is a simple refreshing wine wonderful for summer.
When should you drink this wine? Before dinner. During dinner. After dinner. Instead of dinner.
I’m just kidding, you should always eat dinner.
How should you drink this wine? Chilled. As chilly as possible.
Food Pairings: Serve Nine Walks Sauvignon Blanc with simple, fresh seasonal flavors. As an appetizer, opt for simple pairings like parmesan almonds, goat cheese stuffed dates or a simple mint and pea pesto crostini.
If you’re pairing the wine with a meal, look for something a little bit more complex, like Mussels with Coconut and Red Curry Broth or a hearty vegetarian dish like Pesto, Barley and Edamame Salad.
25 Comments
Easy Entertaining: Host a Wine & Cheese Party
August 24, 2011 at 6:12 pm[…] Manchego Cheese with The Naked Grape Pinot Grigio or Nine Walks Sauvignon Blanc […]
Megan'sCookin'
August 13, 2011 at 3:35 pmI love all wine! When I was younger, it was white only. Then I got into my forty’s, and it was red only. Now I’m leaning back to the whites, but still love my red! I’ll keep an eye open for this label.
lisa {smart food and fit}
August 13, 2011 at 5:36 amI like to drink wine occasionally. I like to drink whites with my fish, mmmm.
katelin
August 11, 2011 at 6:53 pmoh this wine sounds delicious, love it. and seriously your wine breakdowns are so much more informative than mine, i should just send my readers here, haha.
Greg
August 11, 2011 at 12:27 pmI feel like a bonehead for missing wine Wednesday! My wife and I love NZSB, ha I didn’t feel like spelling. It’s more to our liking than the Chilean stuff. I’ll keep an eye out for this one. Thanks for this post!
polwig
August 11, 2011 at 11:07 amSounds perfect, need to try it. On the other hand how do you amass wine in your house, mine seems to disappear, not sure how? Maybe I need to find someone who would love to send me wine, so far all I am getting is whine.
emily (a nutritionist eats)
August 11, 2011 at 11:00 amSounds perfect, I’ll keep my eye out for it!
Clarkie @ Beloved Green
August 11, 2011 at 10:58 amI am the opposite, I’ve always been a huge fan of white wines. The Sauvignon Blanc is fantastic, my fall back has always been Riesling — good memories of my younger years perhaps?
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
August 11, 2011 at 10:34 amThis looks so good, and I love Sauvignon Blanc. Great wine post!
amy @ fearless homemaker
August 11, 2011 at 10:10 amsauvignon blanc is my favorite type of wine, specifically new zealand savuginon blancs stince they tend to be super crisp + citrusy. i haven’t seen this wine in our local wine shop yet but will definitely look for it!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
August 11, 2011 at 9:46 amI always let my hubby pick the wine. He does a WAY better job than me. 🙂
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour
August 11, 2011 at 9:32 amI love a refreshing sauv blanc in the hot Florida summers…. thanks for the recommendation! I’ll look for it!
SMITH BITES
August 11, 2011 at 8:32 ami’m not necessarily a red wine drinker either . . . much prefer whites and of course, the bubbly!! Sauvignon Blancs are what i reach for whenever i’m looking for a white wine to mix something with . . . say like . . . St. Germain or Lillet . . . which are fantastic summer drinks . . . although they seem to go down a bit too easy!! will be looking for a bottle of this for sure
Claire @ Un Bello Aperitivo
August 11, 2011 at 7:17 amI wish I could remember the name of the Sauvignon Blanc I had the other day, but I can’t. Whoops. It was probably one of the best I’ve had (which may or may not have been influenced by the crappy wine I was drinking earlier).
yummychunklet
August 11, 2011 at 6:52 amWhenever I attend a party, I always zero in on the white wine (or dessert wine, just to mix it up!) This sounds like a great white wine find!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
August 11, 2011 at 6:23 amLOL I like that you should drink this wine because it is August! 😛
Blond Duck
August 11, 2011 at 6:20 amI’m so uneducated on wine!
Three-Cookies
August 11, 2011 at 5:24 amLucky you to get samples. Not sure if I have tried this one. I agree with your suggestion – the ideal time to drink it is before, during and after dinner:)
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
August 10, 2011 at 10:30 pm“but between receiving media samples…” <— please let me know your secrets! 🙂 I could use those kind of sample. I love free granola and all, but ya know…
Junia @ Mis Pensamientos
August 10, 2011 at 10:28 pmi don’t know too much about wine but i want to learn more! thanks for this post maris 🙂
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
August 10, 2011 at 9:54 pmI really enjoy a good crisp Sauvignon Blanc, grass, mineral and all the other funky nuances they can have. Medium to light bodied, fruity red wines slightly chilled such as Zinfandels, Malbecs, Shirazes, Valpolicellas (just to name a few) are a delicious summer drink and many go well with barbecues and spicy foods. I do tend to stay away from the big and more complex reds for this use.
I’ll keep an eye out for Nine Walks. Thanks.
Sarah
August 10, 2011 at 9:18 pmThat sounds so good. I wish the liquor store was open Right. Now. Kidding. BUt I am definitely going to keep an eye out for this one.
Taylor
August 10, 2011 at 9:18 pmMmm Sauvignon Blanc is my favorite white wine…it’s such a perfect summer wine! I will keep my eye open for Nine Walks!
Bev Weidner
August 10, 2011 at 9:00 pmLoooove this! All wine, in my face, through a funnel, I don’t care. I’d even take it through an IV.
Autumn @ Good Eats Girl
August 10, 2011 at 8:53 pmThanks for the recommendation! I love a good white wine! I am not a red wine girl…at all!