Sparkling Sauvignon aged for 2 years in bottle

Pursuing bubbles unique to this region

Sauvignon Blanc is New Zealand's signature grape variety. It goes without saying. However, in sparkling wines made using the Champagne method (secondary fermentation in the bottle), Sauvignon Blanc is not often the main grape. Traditionally, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or Pinot Meunier have been the main grapes, and they are the mainstream in New Zealand as well.

Love Block is a venturesome winery that chooses to use Sauvignon Blanc, a symbol of New Zealand, and produces it through a secondary fermentation in the bottle . "It's not the traditional way, but it can produce something delicious," they say with pride.

The "Love Block Méthode Traditionnel Marlborough 2022" makes the most of the land and climate of Marlborough, New Zealand, to create a high-quality sparkling wine that cannot be replicated anywhere else. Rather than relying too much on tradition, they pursue a taste that is "unique to this region." This wine allows you to experience their approach.

Cultivation and brewing

Their vineyards are located in the Awatere Valley , one of the coolest areas in Marlborough, and the Sauvignon Blanc they use is grown on the windiest hills, known as the "hill blocks."

Strong winds and poor soil make it a harsh environment for plants. However, it is precisely because of this that the grapevines are able to spread their roots deep underground, desperately seeking water and nutrients, and grow strong. The resulting fruit is small, with thick skin and a concentrated flavor.

The grapes are hand-picked and carefully vinified. After the primary fermentation, the wine is bottled and undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle . It is then aged in the bottle for 24 months .

It is this two-year aging period that gives this wine its rich texture and fine bubbles.

Tasting

When poured into a glass, fine bubbles rise delicately. The first aroma you notice is fragrant brioche and a subtle hint of toast , followed by a refreshing lemon-like citrus scent and a hint of dried herbs .

The first thing you taste is a gentle fruitiness like ripe peach . The fruitiness is plumper than you would expect from the aroma, and together with the creamy bubbles that come from two years of bottle aging, it fills your mouth pleasantly.

The finish is dry, with a clean, lingering finish. You'll be amazed at how much can be achieved with 100% Sauvignon Blanc .

Pairing

It has the fruitiness of Sauvignon Blanc and the rich flavor and fullness that comes from bottle aging, so it can be paired with a wide range of dishes.

We especially recommend seafood dishes . For example...

• Raw oysters : The minerality and citrus nuances are perfect. You might not even need the lemon.
• Butter-sautéed scallops and asparagus : The richness of the butter is nicely reset by the acidity of the foam.
• Pan-fried sea bass (dill sauce) : A pleasant marriage of herbs and fruit.
• Shrimp and potato gratin : The aroma from aging in the bottle complements the white sauce.
• White peach and mozzarella caprese salad : The ripe fruit flavor goes perfectly with fruit salad.

The wine has a rich flavor, so it will go well with Japanese dishes such as white fish sashimi and chilled soup with dashi.

About the Winery "Love Block"

Love Block is a winery run by winemaker Kim Crawford and his wife, Erica.

Kim gained experience working in wineries in Australia, Napa Valley and South Africa, before returning to his native New Zealand in 1988 and working as winemaker at Coopers Creek for around 10 years.

He founded Kim Crawford with Erica in 1996, and two years later began exporting to the United States. The winery has since gained global acclaim, including being repeatedly selected as one of Wine Spectator's Top 100 wineries.

However, the couple wanted to achieve even greater things, so they sold Kim Crawford and founded Love Block in Awatere Valley, Marlborough.

Love Block's vineyards are located in Awatere and Central Otago. Erica discovered the Awatere vineyard in 2003 and fell in love with its "views" and "great potential." After many years of preparation, she began making wine.

The two value organic winemaking, which expresses the unique characteristics of the land. They create organic farms where animals such as chickens, sheep, and cows coexist with a wide variety of plants, and they make wine that is considerate of the natural environment while valuing coexistence with animals and nature. One of Awatere's vineyards, Love Block Farm, is BioGro certified.

Our Central Otago vineyards are located in Bendigo, the warmest part of the region, and are exclusively grown in Pinot Noir, thanks to the abundant sunshine and well-drained soils.

About Marlborough

Marlborough is the heart of New Zealand's wine region.

Marlborough has ideal natural conditions for grape growing, such as abundant sunshine and large temperature differences throughout the day, and produces over 80% of New Zealand's wine.

Among them, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its crisp acidity and overflowing fruitiness, boasts an overwhelming production volume and is loved worldwide for its unique character. In red wine, Pinot Noir, with its rich berry fruit flavor, is also popular.

Loveblock Methode Traditionnelle Marlborough 2022

item	Content
Winery Name	Love Block
Country of origin	new zealand
Origin	Marlborough (Awatere Valley)
kinds	Sparkling
Grape varieties	Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage	2022
Alcohol content	12.5%
capacity	750ml
others	Sustainable Certification
remarks	cork