Beyond Sauvignon - Slight Return: three summery wines from Villa Maria

Three summery wines from Villa Maria

Sauvignon Blanc is both the UK's favourite white grape and New Zealand's most widely-planted variety.

Villa Maria, one of the most reliable kiwi producers, has three summery wines that go beyond Sauvignon and back.

First up is a Lighter Sauvignon, a fresh sipper with lower alcohol levels; then a Germanic-style Riesling. Finally, an unusual varietal Sauvignon Gris.

Villa Maria Private Bin Lighter Sauvignon Blanc 2015, £11.30 (independents) a good, enjoyable lighter wine for sipping in the garden or lunchtime drinking. Has the hallmark Villa Maria quality feel and is not compromised by its lower alcohol status.

A light sipper.

Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling 2015, £10.55 (Waitrose, Majestic, Wine Rack, Booths and independents) expressive, fresh and crisp with dieselly aromas, nectarine and peach fruit; bitter lime zest, pineapple citrus and pebbly minerality. Germanic-style.

Match with smoked salmon or barbecued prawns with chilli and garlic.

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Gris 2015, £14.95 (The Co-op, independents) pungent, citrussy and intensely aromatic with expressive passionfruit, lychee and guava leading to dried herbs, lemon zest and a persistent minerality.

Match with strongly flavoured foods such as tuna carpaccio with chilli and ginger.

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