Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 released

PRESS RELEASE OCTOBER 2009

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 vintage released to market!

Saint Clair Family Estate is celebrating the release of the Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009. This ultra-premium Sauvignon Blanc is arguably New Zealand’s most internationally awarded wine and has gained iconic status in many markets around the world.

The 2009 vintage resulted from a typical warm and dry Marlborough summer. During ripening the grapes were carefully monitored in the vineyard by chief winemaker, Matt Thomson. It is here the crucial decision is made to pick once maximum flavour maturity and physiological ripeness has been reached

In the winery the fruit was pressed off as quickly as possible to minimise skin contact and juice deterioration following harvesting. After settling the juice was fermented using selected yeast and 100% stainless steel at cool temperatures to retain fruit flavour and freshness.

The Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is created through a gruelling selection process as the top Sauvignon Blanc wine. The unique quality grading system Saint Clair follows involves a panel of winemakers measuring quality based on taste from 130 different Sauvignon Blanc tanks.

The strong international show success for the Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, including a total of 30 trophies and 44 gold medals, along with consistently scoring 90 points and over in USA publications, since its release in 2001 has further cemented Saint Clair’s reputation as producing some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc.

Managing director Neal Ibbotson comments, “The 2009 vintage has been true Marlborough style with consistent warm, sunny days and cool nights that lasted through to the end of April. We think the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc wines throughout Saint Clair’s portfolio are some of our best ever.”

Due to the strict quality guidelines, only a small amount of the Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is produced and this is distributed across 50 worldwide markets. The 2009 vintage will be available through a selection of fine wine retail outlets across New Zealand.

The combination of site selection, viticulture expertise, superior winemaking and quality selection, from a passionate team has created a quality product, which has positioned Saint Clair Family Estate as a leading New Zealand wine producer.

ENDS.

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