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As these gradually sweetening spring days begin to ripen into still-sunlit evenings, our minds are turning to summer entertaining — gatherings with family and with a bit of luck friends, made as simple or elaborate as you like. What’s your idea of the perfect summer soirée and who would you like to share it with? Backyard barbie, seaside picnic or swanky seated dinner, fresh, flavoursome fare will surely be on the menu; we like to include a few dishes that have become signatures and are imbued with happy memories. And for drinks? A natural for pairing with food, Cloudy Bay 2021 Sauvignon Blanc has made its way onto our radar and is topping our list of local drops to enjoy with loved ones.
You might notice passionfruit, white peach and a hint of lime in this vintage, which is known for its zesty notes. The grapes used to make it were harvested in March from three sub-regions of Marlborough’s Wairau Valley — Rapaura, Renwick and Brancott Valley — an area where the surrounding sheltering mountains and abundant sunshine hours combine to create a grape-growing haven. For this wine, fruit from each location is fermented separately before it’s blended, an essential step in maintaining the consistency of Cloudy Bay’s house style.
Sauvignon blanc isn’t usually considered a cellaring wine, but if you do save it for a special occasion, your patience will be rewarded. “Sauvignon 2021 is a wine that will age very well, but it’ll take incredible restraint and will power because it screams ‘Drink me now!’,” says Cloudy Bay viticulturist John Flanagan.
Well, it’s always nice to know there’s a delicious silver lining if the weather or whatever mean your plans for a summertime shindig have to be rescheduled!
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