Sancerre and Marlborough minerality... Yes, minerality!

I work for a winery in Marlborough - New Zealand called Clos Henri Vineyard, that's owned by a French producer from Sancerre called Domaine Henri Bourgeois. Few days ago, was organised a wine diner in a restaurant of Christchurch (South Island of NZ) of the name of St Germain - www.st-germain.co.nz . The menu was matched to our wines, and each dish was paired with a sauvignon blanc from Sancerre and one from Marlborough, from both wineries indeed. And i was talking to the restaurant customers about the wine, explaining the story of the wineries as well as each wine specificities. And i have been so enthused all along the way, both by the wine and food match and by the wines. It is the kind of event that i do on a regular basis, and it is always such a pleasure and surprise to have your own wine specifically matched by great chefs.

It actually started with a veloute of asparagus with a basil and parsley oil matched with the Petit Clos sauvignon (which are the young vines of the estate, aged on fine lees for 10 months). The textures of the veloute, quite smooth and creamy and the soft and rounded sauvignon were really matching well, added to the fact that the asparagus (which isn't an aromas found in this wine) was balancing the Petit Clos to make it somehow a bit more spicy and kind of 'meaty' (actual word in fact of my neighbour table, that i thought very appropriate) - a delight!

The most incredible was actually served on a monkfish on a bed of lentils. The match was undoubtedly good. The wines were however just showing wonderfully. On the nose, i would never have been able to tell which sauvignon was from Sancerre, and in the mouth it wasn't that obvious either, as the Monts Damnes from Sancerre was very masculin and somehow tight but still showing fruit ripness and expression from good sun exposure slopes, whereas the Clos Henri was very feminin and floral and nicely fresh. The expression of minerality in both wines was outstanding, and something i wish everyone could experience.

Malrborough has such a beautiful potential, such a terroir.... i hope from the bottom of my heart that the viticulturists and winemakers of Marlborough will one day Love their sauvignon blanc! As when it happens - and Clos Henri isn't the only winery in this case - the results are truly meant to be shared, meant to be shown with pride.
www.closhenri.com
www.henribourgeois.com