Marlborough

Marlborough is a well-known wine-producing region in New Zealand. Thanks to aggressive growth in the export market, the Marlborough wine region is now responsible for the production of 77% of New Zealand’s wine. The most popular varietal is Sauvignon blanc, closely followed by Pinot noir and Chardonnay.

Celebrate the Arrival of DST with Two Springy Wines from Costco – both under $10!

Bottles and glasses of 2019 Sacrata Alvarinho and 2020 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, both from Costco

Fast Facts: 2019 Sacrata Alvarinho, Minho, Portugal ($8.99 @Costco in California – Item #1535819) 2020 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand  ($6.99* @Costco in California – Item #343916) *net price after $2 discount After months of days that were literally and figuratively dark, we have arrived on the doorstep of Daylight Saving Time (DST) and … Read moreCelebrate the Arrival of DST with Two Springy Wines from Costco – both under $10!

A NZ SB from TJs that Checks all the Boxes – at $5.99 no less!

Glass and bottle of the Nikau Point 2020 Sauvignon Blanc from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2020 Nikau Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($5.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Tasting Notes: The wine pours a nice straw-yellow color. It is wonderfully crisp and balanced. The flavors set a tropical tone with notes of gooseberry and passion fruit, alongside citrus flavors of grapefruit. It is ready for almost any kind of seafood … Read moreA NZ SB from TJs that Checks all the Boxes – at $5.99 no less!

Summer’s Over? Costco Sez: Not So Fast!

Bottle and glass of Duck Hunter 2019 Sauvignon Blanc from Costco

Fast Facts: 2019 Duck Hunter Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand   ($9.99* @Costco in California – Item #1336236)   As I have admitted here freely, no small amount of NZ SB (Marlborough in particular) is consumed in my house. So I’ve come to be pretty adept at what a Sauvignon Blanc from this area typically … Read moreSummer’s Over? Costco Sez: Not So Fast!

Trader Joe’s Delivers a Knock Out $3.99 Wine

Label of Haymaker 2018 Sauvignon Blanc from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2018 Hay Maker Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand $3.99 (@Trader Joe’s; California) Yes, that’s not a typo. This classic – and delicious – Sauvignon Blanc is a ridiculously good value for $3.99.  You know how much we like wines with high QPR, well this one has an OTCQPR.  You know: Off the Charts Quality … Read moreTrader Joe’s Delivers a Knock Out $3.99 Wine

Come to Where the Flavor Is, Come to Marlborough (Wine) Country

2 Glasses and bottles of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Fast Facts on this Week’s Featured Wines: 2019 Kirkland Signature Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($6.99 @Costco in California – Item #301904) 2019 Sauvignon Republic Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Can I tell you a secret? These two wines are – hand’s down – the two most … Read moreCome to Where the Flavor Is, Come to Marlborough (Wine) Country

Fast Friday Costco Pick – a Kiwi Sauv Blanc @ $6.99. (Call it half priced.)

Bottle and glass of Mud House New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

This classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is on special at Costco.  It would be a super good value at its usual price of $8.99, but after the store discount the price nets to $6.99 – a steal.  If you like Sauv Blancs from Marlborough (for example, Kim Crawford, Oyster Bay, Villa Maria, etc.) don’t think … Read moreFast Friday Costco Pick – a Kiwi Sauv Blanc @ $6.99. (Call it half priced.)

Two Great NZ Sauvignon Blancs from Trader Joe’s!

Bottle and glass of Babich Sauvignon Blanc (left) and Kono Sauvignon Blanc (right).

These two wines may look like twins in many respects.  But if so, they are not identical twins.  And even though these fraternal twins have much in common,  it would be difficult to assert that one is “better” than the other. Fast facts: 2018 Babich Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($8.99 @Trader Joe’s,  … Read moreTwo Great NZ Sauvignon Blancs from Trader Joe’s!