Somehow I missed the announcements! I didn’t realize it was in our stores until one of our Wine Consultants mentioned it to me. I’m talking about Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Gris.

            We’ve been carrying the Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir here at ABC for a few years now. The wines are absolutely gorgeous – everything you’d expect from these grape varieties and more! But I’m always pleased to introduce people to some of the other wonderful wines from New Zealand – both red and white.

            Jules Taylor grew up in the famed Marlborough wine region at a time when winemaking was just getting underway there. She did not plan initially to be a winemaker but with study and working in vineyards around the world, as well as being mentored by such people as Kim Crawford, making wine became her passion. Her first wines were produced in 2001 – Pinot Gris and Riesling. Shortly afterward came Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Rosé. Some years she will also make Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner (I would love to taste her version of this favorite varietal of mine!) and Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Arneis is also in the pipeline, it seems.

            With grapes sourced from the Wairau and Awatere sub-regions of Marlborough, the Pinot Gris is wonderfully fresh and vibrant and shows nice complexity. Using both wild and malolactic fermentation, the wine is pale straw in color, with lovely aromas of honeysuckle, pear and white peaches. It makes an excellent aperitif, or pairs well with seafood, light pastas, chicken and Asian cuisine.

            Try a bottle or two soon – you won’t be disappointed!

(Note: I'm in Italy this week to taste some wine in Piemonte and Tuscany and visit a few wineries that will be new to me as well as a few old faves. Stay tuned….)

Bill Stobbs, ABC Wine Supervisor

(Follow me on Twitter at abcwinebills)