The country of New Zealand straddles its two largest islands – the South Island and the North Island. The South Island is the better known of the two, producing higher-quality, more intense wines that are also subject to greater vintage variations. The Marlborough region of New Zealand’s South Island produces greater than 40% of all the country’s wine and is by far the most famous region. Characterized by rolling hills of mostly clay that cascade from the New Zealand Alps down to the Pacific coast, this is a cool region that produces Sauvignon Blanc wines of remarkable intensity. High winds coupled with ample direct sun exposure tend to keep the berries in this region small and concentrated.

Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's second-largest wine region and is located on the Southeast-facing coast of the North Island. The geography of the region mixes hilly topography, river valleys, alluvial plains, and a coastal strip with direct exposure to the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, resulting in more than one meso-climate to produce grapes. The wine styles in this part of the region bridge between the reserved nature of Europe and the fruit forward style of the New World. The wines tend toward bright, fresh flavors without heaviness. We will be tasting:

Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Marlborough — Allan Scott has worked every harvest in NZ since 1973 and is credited with planting some of the region’s most famous vineyards, including the very first. In 1990, he and his wife, Catherine, established Allan Scott Wines as one of the first independent wineries of Marlborough. This SB is supple and succulent with aromas and flavors of honeydew, dried citrus, and tropical fruit, including a mix of passion fruit, key lime and ruby grapefruit flavors. Expressive and strong on the finish, with touches of freshly grated ginger and green tea. Rating: 92, Wine Spectator and wine.com; #23 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2020. $16.99/$7

Villa Maria Rosé 2020, Hawkes Bay — The journey began 1961, when Sir George Fistonich started with just an acre of vines in Auckland. Now an icon of the New Zealand wine industry, Villa Maria is known for bold and industry-changing moves with an emphasis on sustainable practices in every area. Villa Maria one of the oldest wineries in New Zealand. This Rosé of Merlot has a lovely salmon pink color and displays bright floral aromas with flavors of strawberry, red fruits and spice, leading to a generous mouthfeel with a deliciously dry finish. All fruits were crushed, pressed and settled for 48 hours prior to racking clean juice to cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks. $16.99/$7

Esk Valley Red Blend 2018, Hawkes Bay — This wine was blended from grapes grown within the renown Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District – one of New Zealand’s most distinctive wine regions. These deep stony soils have excellent drainage and low vigor, ideal for the production of high-quality red wine. The vineyard sites are close planted and yields per vine are kept low to maximize quality. This blend (49% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec) is rich and full-bodied, densely colored, has a bouquet of dark cherry, blackberry, dried herbs and cedar. It is soft and generous in nature and can be enjoyed as a youthful wine, but possesses sufficient tannin to age gracefully for many years. Rating: 91, Decanter. $22.99/$8

We are doing a combination of tableside and barside, depending on your party size! C’mon in when you’re ready. Please continue to select and sit at a table that matches your party size so that we can accommodate everyone.

As always, feel free to bring snacks/dinner with you, but please dispose of your own trash (there is a garbage can at the back entrance of the store). AND, don’t forget the newly opened cheese shop, St. Lucio’s Gourmet and Cheese. They will be introducing new cheeses regularly.

Thanks y’all, see you Friday!!