Waiata Vineyard, Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc

This eye-catching Sauvignon Blanc from Canterbury in New Zealand is a genuine stunner. Full of flavour and balanced with freshness, body and a long, fruity and dry finish, it is a classic cool climate Sauvignon Blanc with gooseberry, nettle, green herb and integrated crunchy acidity.

Grown in the north Canterbury zone of Waipara, this is a region that benefits from dryer conditions than in Marlborough and more predictable temperatures than in Otago. While the resultant wine is riper and fuller than its neighbours,  that you'd expect from the variety in this country, but with more layers of complexity and texture that this region brings to the table.

The Tiki estate that make this wine are themselves based in Marlborough, and they used to have a portfolio of different wines in addition to Tiki that filled out their offering.

Then, the recent global increase in demand for Sauvignon Blanc and more difficult growing conditions of numerous consecutive vintages forced them to consider their entire model. It was some hard research that landed them with this choice vineyard in the Waipara valley (Waipara translates as Maddy Water or something similar, which we like because wine-making can sometimes be a bit like that...!).

Waiata is a single vineyard that's about forty minutes north of Canterbury on New Zealand's south island. It benefits from warm, dry days, cool nights and long dry autumns that ensure perfect harvest. It has allowed them to continue availability of wine while shoring up their own supply, at exactly the same time as adding this rich layer of quality to their offering.

This has done wonders for their business, for the wines themselves and for the Waipara and Canterbury regions. It's a very good news story and this wine, like its sibling Maui, is a really gorgeous and refreshing take on the New Zealand classic.

It scored a whopping 95 points and a gold medal at the NWWA New World Wine Awards, too.