2011 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc and 2011 Domaine Gerard Fiou Sancerre

Side by side wine tasting seems to a theme for me recently, and while vacationing with a friend, I figured the summer heat was a sign it was time to try two different expressions of Sauvignon Blanc. I had a New World New Zealand alongside an Old World Sancerre.

Starting with New Zealand, I picked up a bottle of the 2011 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc. I was immediately attracted to this wine because the winemaker, Kevin Judd, was with Cloudy Bay (perhaps my favorite NZ Sauvignon Blanc) for its first 25 years. The wine has a huge following and terrific reviews abounding. I don’t know if I should’ve gotten a younger vintage, or if the bottle was stored incorrectly, or if I am just very far away from my peers, but I found this bottle rather lackluster. It was a lovely pale yellow,  lemon and lime on the nose with ample grapefruit. I found there to only be a touch of minerality (though other reviews have waxed on about its mineral notes) and didn’t find the acidity as bright as I would’ve liked. Not the refreshing, zingy, punch I wanted or expected, but one that I will try again with a different vintage.

Disappointed in the New Zealand, I moved hesitantly to the Sancerre. A region in the Loire Valley of France, it’s another favorite of mine, and a common go-to in my home. I have had duds though, and was nervous that it would be another disappointment. Not so! Upon first sniff I was happier with this wine than the first. Another pale yellow beauty, citrus, smoky pencil lead and herbaceous notes on the nose got me right away, and as I drank, the clean balance and refreshing acidity made this a very tasty, supple wine. Great with food (seafood seems a perfect match with the lemon notes present in the wine) but there was enough going around that I’d happily drink this on a summer day while sitting out by the pool. I’ll be happily picking up more.