WINE OF THE WEEK: Villa Maria Reserve Coastal Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

£15.50 (£12, Clubcard offer), Tesco

I had a red wine lined up for this week until I saw that the offer on this double-trophy winning New Zealand Sauvignon finishes on Sunday 6 October. Rest assured, though, if you do miss the boat or are not a Clubcard holder, it’s well worth the full price.

What makes it a top award-winner? Thank you for asking. There isn’t a single aspect or feature that puts it over and above so many other Sauvignon Blancs. It’s the way all the elements come together in harmony.

From the herb, pea shoot, passion fruit, elder flower and white peach aromas through to the succulent, tangy, lime, passion fruit and lightly smoky, mineral palate, it’s a wine of flawless verve and joie de vivre, but a serious Sauvignon at the same time.

It comes from the cooler, windier coastal Awatare subregion of Marlborough, the easternmost part, where southerlies from the Pacific Ocean moderate the temperatures, prolonging the growing season and retaining high acidities and vibrant green flavours in the grapes. Fermentation in stainless steel retains the pristine flavours and a period on lees adds texture.

It’s a great partner for fish and seafood – ceviche, fried, roast, grilled, sauced, fish cakes or fish pie. And it's also good with gammon, feta, Thai food, especially green curry, tomatoes and tomato dishes, red peppers, broad beans, peas, sugar snaps, asparagus and herby salads. 13.5%. Empty bottle weight: 425g.

Villa Maria Reserve Coastal Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2024. Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

£15.50 (£12, Clubcard offer until 6.10.25), Tesco

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