Kono Sauvignon Blanc

Kono Sauvignon Blanc comes from Marlborough, at the northeastern tip of New Zealand's South Island. The region is the country's best-known source of Sauvignon Blanc, and this bottle follows its fresh, aromatic style. Kono is the food and beverage brand of Wakatū Incorporation, a Māori-owned organisation. In the glass, expect bright citrus, tropical fruit and herbal notes. Wines in this style usually show grapefruit, lime and passionfruit alongside cut grass or green herb, and the balance tends to lean toward vibrancy rather than weight. Expect a light to medium body with high, crisp acidity that keeps the fruit from feeling heavy. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is typically fermented and aged in stainless steel, so oak is not part of the picture. There's no wood spice or vanilla, only clean fruit, and tannin is essentially absent in a white wine like this. The finish is usually dry and zesty, with the herbal edge lingering after the citrus fades. That acidity and herbal character make it a natural match for foods with sharp or green flavours. Goat's cheese, fresh chèvre salads, asparagus, green beans, and dishes built on lemon, dill, parsley or coriander all work well. Shellfish and white fish suit it too, from oysters and steamed mussels to grilled snapper, and so do Thai and Vietnamese dishes with lime and fresh herbs. The wine copes with a little chilli heat, which makes it useful with fresh spring rolls or a green curry. Heavy cream sauces and red meats will overpower it. Serve it well chilled, around 7 to 10°C. A couple of hours in the refrigerator, or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket, gets it there. Colder than that mutes the aromatics, and warmer makes the acidity feel sharper. Decanting is not needed. A standard white wine glass with a moderately tapered rim concentrates the citrus and herbal aromas without letting them escape. Wines in this style are made for early drinking, when the fruit is at its freshest, so treat this as a bottle to open within a year or two of purchase rather than one to cellar.