New Zealand is a country known for hard work and innovation. From Sir Ernest Rutherford splitting the atom in the twentieth century to the invention of the Hamilton jet boat to electric fences to the fastest motorbike in the world, this has been a country known for hard work and embracing new things.
That is why I was excited when last month’s #snooth virtual tasting took me across the world to New Zealand. Villa Maria was our host and Lead Winemaker Helen Morrison was our guide.
I’ve had the Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc before, but as I unpacked my six pack of sample wines, I was excited to see I would be trying a sparkling sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and a rosé as well as several red wines.
The Villa Maria name comes from Founder George Fistonich, who started making wine in 1961, when he leased land near Auckland from his father. George mashed up two names — Villa, a common name for a house in New Zealand, and Maria, a popular name from Croatia where George is from. He wanted a European name because it sounded authentic.
Since then, he’s been singularly focused (and passionate) about crating unique, New Zealand style sustainable wines from four regions – Auckland, Marlborough, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne. The winery has grown from George and his wife, Gail, to more than 250 people and exports to 50 different countries.
We tasted a variety of wines that ranged from $13 to $45. Villa Maria offered something for everyone as I found with my neighbors gathering to help me taste through these wines.
2015 Bubbly Sauvignon Blanc – this was my first New Zealand sparkling (friazzante meaning lightly sparkling) wine. It tasted like a slightly carbonated sauvignon blanc with notes of lime, tropical fruit, grass and tart apple.
2016 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc – I’ve had the opportunity to taste another vintage of this sauvignon blanc and I enjoyed it as well. Very crisp and tart and is a great expression of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
2016 Private Bin Bay Rosé – this was my first New Zealand rosé and I loved it. Lots of berry with a great minerality.
2015 Taylors Pass Chardonnay – this was a complex and nuanced Chardonnay with a great deal to offer. There were some oaky notes to it, but the fruit shone brightly.
2014 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir – herbs, terroir, red and black fruit made this a very, very drinkable wine. It was the first red to disappear.
2013 Cellar Selection Merlot-Cabernet – I tasted blackberries, blueberries, spice, oregano and this one also was very easy drinking.
I enjoyed the ability to branch out and try the variety of Villa Maria wines during this tasting. These wines have always been easy to drink, well priced and a safe bet for the consumer. If you want to watch the Snooth video, feel free to follow along here.
