Oh Sauvignon Blanc, where have thee gone...

About ten years ago, when we first started seeing good quality New Zealand Sauv. Bl. in the states, I can remember clearly, being impressed by the lively freshness of these wines. The antithesis to Chardonnay, (nothing against Chardonnay, but we all need a little variety in our lives) and considerably less expensive than any good Sauv. Bl. coming out of France, these wines were fun and exciting, and probably most importantly "new".

Well ten years later, I'm sorry, but there is nothing new about New Zealand and American Sauv. Bl, for that matter. While the French continue to make very interesting examples in Loire and Bordeaux, the new world seems to have lost any artisanl interest in this poor grape. Sauv. Bl. has become a cash cow for so many wineries, I'm sure no one wants to rock the boat. And I'm not saying that you have to. To all you wineries out there (I know you all read this blog), keep making your everyday Sauv. Bl. The market wants them and, techniqually, the wines are fine. But, you've got to get us something to get all hot and bothered about. Try some prolonged skin-contact, sur lie aging, neutral barrels, BRAND NEW BARRELS...something, cause I can't waste any precisous wine drinking on your current selection of lifeless and vapid vino.

Ok, so now that I've gotten that off my chest...there are some very good enjoyable new world Sauv. Bls. out there. Names like Framingham, Matariki, Amici (Napa Valley) all are producing high quality wines with a bit more character than you might expect from a typical Sauv. Bl.