Sauvignon Sounds
Celebrating International Sauvignon Blanc Day with a spectrum of styles and some zesty music matches
The New Zealand Mix
THE WINE: Yealands Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
A classic kiwi Sauvignon Blanc with punchy aromatics and great intensity. Vivid notes of blackcurrant leaf, lemongrass and jalapeño, combine with pure and succulent passionfruit and a crisp briny limey acidity in this Carbon Zero wine.
HIGH TONED TUNE: Nissim – The Gaslamp Killer
Yealands’ Natalie Christensen is not only the winery’s chief winemaker, but has a Bachelor’s Degree in music and is classically trained in the double bass - so it’s over to her for this sonic suggestion:
“I think that this music matches our Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc due to its structure. The song begins with potentially a steel string guitar, which is high tone and feels alive like the aromatics of the Sauvignon which jump out at you.
As the music flows, the bass kicks in, but it also still has those high tone characters coming through. That richness and depth of bass is like the surprising depth of the palate of this Sauvignon Blanc. There is a saline almost savoury aspect to this wine which flows with the bassline of this piece of music. Like the music, it’s a Sauvignon that’s exotic and complex, showing a lot of classic elements, but surprising ones too.”
THE WINE: A Thousand Gods “Blanc” Waihopai, Marlborough 2020
An alternative Sauvignon style from Marlborough. This impressive inaugural organic release from A Thousand Gods is richly textured with ripe greengage fruit and structured around an intense saline mineral core.
MINERALLY MUSIC MATCH: Motte – Thin Air
A similarly alternative music match from New Zealand experimental musician, Motte. The rough timbred violin creates a synergy with the wine’s minerality, while the high pitched violin notes and bright and pure timbred female vocals harmonise with its freshness. The slow pace and sustained melodies mirror the linearity of this elegant style.
THE WINE: Known Unknown “Under the Flor” 2018
The warmer climes of the Hawke’s Bay region, gives its Sauvignons a riper, fuller bodied and softer profile, as demonstrated by the voluptuous texture and tropical fruits of this unusual example. It’s been aged under a yeasty veil of “flor”, a practice more common with styles of sherry, which has added a delicious savoury and nutty character.
SAVOURY SONICS: Troy Kingi – Hunt Down Happiness
Such a rich savoury style, requires a more richly timbred musical accompaniment as possessed by this rockier piece by Kiwi singer, Troy Kingi. The deep male voices and distorted guitar feeds into the wine’s savoury richness, while the sustained high pitched organ rides its wave of tangy acidity.
THE WINE: Bryterlater “Swell” North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc Pétillant Naturel 2021
A sparkling wine made using the col fondo method, where its fizz-forming second fermentation in bottle was kicked off by the addition of a little Sauvignon juice from the same vineyard. Tangy green apple fruit fuses with notes of citrus pith, a fragrant dimension suggestive of white flowers and fennel, over a toasty yeasty undercurrent.
FRESH POP PAIRING: The Brunettes – Bedroom Disco
A fresh and fun wine that befits a sonic accompaniment in a similar mood. This is delivered by Bedroom Disco, whose syncopated handclaps and cymbals pop with the effervescence. The high pitched female vocals and bright bell-like and chiming melodies work with its fresh character, while the bass and male voice harmonises with the wine’s richer savoury character.