International Sauvignon Blanc Day 2020

This Friday (1st May) is International Sauvignon Blanc Day #SauvBlancDay - a chance to celebrate all things SB.
 
I’ll be celebrating with a glass of Yealands Sauvignon Blanc, one of my favourite producers from New Zealand. 
Yealands Estate Wines are global leaders in sustainable wine production and they make great quality wines too.
 
Their sustainable initiatives include development of extensive wetlands, native tree plantings, the installation and utilisation of renewable energy initiatives and integrated pest control measures. They have one of the largest solar panel installations at a winery producing more than 400,000kW hours per year (for comparison the solar panels on our house produce around 1,500) which help power the winery, on top of the 2 wind turbines and burners which produce energy from their vine prunings. 
In the vineyard they have Babydoll sheep which graze in between the vines and keep the grass down, limiting the need to mow with tractors. They have 100 free range hens roaming the vineyard to keep pests down and play music to the vines which not only has a positive effect on vine growth but also result in the chickens laying eggs around 16% bigger! 
 
They have also created biodiversity zones surrounding the vineyards to boost native flora and fauna species, specifically butterflies, creating a “Butterfly Gully” to protect the monarch butterfly. 
 
All these great initiatives and I haven’t even mentioned the wine yet!
 
Yealands are located in the stunning Awatere Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand (which is at the top of the South Island) and their vineyards are close to the coast with amazing coastal views.  Wines are made by the talented chief winemaker Natalie Christensen. 
 
They produce Sauvignon Blanc (of course) as well as Pinot Noir and white varietals, Pinot Gris, Riesling & Chardonnay amongst others. 
 
Here are two of their wines I would recommend:
 
Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2019 – this is a classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc style with citrus notes and crisp freshness. Incredibly good value. 
Available in Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Spar: £8-9.50 On offer at Sainsbury’s at £7.00 until 5th May
 
Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2019 – a fuller bodied version of the wine above with fruit coming from selected sites within the vineyard. More of a food friendly wine. 
Available in Waitrose: £11.59 

Yealands wines are also Vegan. 
 
You literally can’t go wrong with either of these wines so stock up now before Friday and for more info on Yealands follow them on social media: 
 
Twitter/Instagram: @yealands
Facebook: Yealands Estate Wines
#yealands #nzwine #sauvblancday 
 

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