Sauvignoir created for Chinese market

Marlborough producer Yealands Estate has launched New Zealand’s first “Sauvignoir”, targeted at Chinese consumers, whose thirst for red wine continues to grow.

Peter Yealands

The light, fruit driven red is made from 95% Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from the Awatere and Wairau valleys, and 5% of a Chilean teinturier variety, chosen for its red flesh.

The Chilean variety, which gives the wine its bright red colour, will only be used in the short-term, until a replacement can be grown on the estate’s Awatere vineyard.

“Red’s a lucky colour in China, so we see massive potential over there,” said senior winemaker Jeff Fyfe.

“The wine is likely to go down well with Chinese wine drinkers who are looking to be adventurous and try something new, he added.

Yealands’ owner Peter Yealands meanwhile, says the wine has been developed to meet a growing demand for innovative Sauvignon Blanc styles.

“While we’re having enormous success with our Sauvignon Blanc on the international stage, we need to be mindful that consumer wine tastes continue to evolve.

Peter Yealands Sauvignoir

“I’m pleased to be leading the charge with this innovative wine style,” he said.

Red varieties from all over the world were experimented with, the goal being to produce a vibrant coloured, full flavoured wine with a crisp, refreshing finish.

“We looked at new varieties and processes, but our Sauvignoir has been made using traditional winemaking practices and then blended with a small amount of Teinturier to provide the vibrant red colour of the wine,” Yealands said.

The entire volume from the first vintage was pre-ordered and allocated domestically.

“Demand has been overwhelming. Our customers see this as an opportunity to attract new buyers to the Sauvignon Blanc category,” Yealands added.

The 2012 Peter Yealands Sauvignoir, priced at NZ$18.95, is available in Countdown stores nationwide in New Zealand. It should be served chilled.