Past Issues:
Bargain Wine, aug/sep 2004 --
Matua Valley
In this regular feature,
we spotlight those wines that offer great
bang for the buck -- under $15 bucks, to
be exact. Here you'll find our everyday
wines, house pours, and occasionally a great
new find. Have a favorite Bargain Wine?
Tell us about it at editor@wineskinny.com!
We just cannot say enough
about this issue's Bargain Wines from Matua
Valley winery in New Zealand. Founding brothers
Bill and Ross Spence played a major role
in the country's development as a wine region,
being the first to commercially plant and
produce Sauvignon Blanc - now the signature
wine of New Zealand. Their debut 1974 wine
inspired the entire country, and the Spences
spent considerable time and effort experimenting
with Sauvignon Blanc clones to get the perfect
fit for the region. Today 80-85 percent
of New Zealand's total Sauvignon Blanc production
is based on a clone that Ross identified
and planted!
Indeed the 2003 Sauvignon Blanc inspired
us to taste Matua Valley's other wines and
include them all in this feature. They're
all good, not to mention outstanding values
- we highly recommend them!
($11).
Crisp Granny Smith apple, lime zest and
fresh grassy notes combine for a refreshing,
easy to like thirst quencher. Ready to drink
now.
($11). Refreshing
and juicy, with loads of apple, tropical
fruit and an array of citrus flavors. Nice
acidity throughout, finishing crisp and
clean. Very nice! Ready to drink now.
($11). Delicious
at any price, with pretty red cherry and
blueberry flavors laced with soft, sweet
spices and toasty oak. Heck of a deal. Ready
to drink now. Right now!
Learn more about Matua Valley and their
wines at www.matua.co.nz.
This now-fabulously-named column used to
be called Easy To Find One Figure Wines,
for reasons that we cannot currently remember
but were surely enthusiastic about at the
time. Anyhoo, check out our Past
Issue Index for more great value-priced
wine selections!
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