There is no better time than the summer to try some new wines, which is just what we set out to do when we came upon two winemakers from New Zealand. Pair up a bottle of your favorite red or white with some barbecue specialties and you are in for a fantastic meal.
We started off sampling Kim Crawford’s 2010 Marlborough Pinot Noir and 2011 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The winemaker sources from vineyards to produce cool-climate varietals that include not only the pinot noir and sauvignon blanc but also pinot grigio and unoaked chardonnay. The result? Crisp flavors and powerful aromas.
The bottle of pinot noir was our favorite with a medium depth and bright red color. There are strong aromas of fruits, especially dark cherries complemented by layers of spice and oak. The taste was smooth, sweet and spicy just the way we like our reds. Pair up a bottle of sauvignon blanc with a dozen fresh oysters or a summer lobster roll and you will taste the clean flavors of pineapple and passion fruit.
Nobilo wines also offer the same crisp flavors brought to you from New Zealand region. The focus here is on fruits from Awatere Valley, which is known for sauvignon blanc grapes that produce more herbal characters. The result is a well balanced wine that is complex in flavor with a beautiful aroma.
Nobilo’s sauvignon blanc is extremely light in both color and taste. We paired this wine up with some grilled shrimp and scallops. The crisp fruity taste was a delightful complement with its hints of passionfruit, guava and pineapple. We loved the pinot noir with its hints of toasty oak, chocolate and mocha aromas and hints of dark berry and black currant paired up with a grilled ribeye.
Both Kim Crawford and Nobilo wines are the perfect addition to any summertime meal.
