A tasting in London of a selection of Saint Clair’s Pioneer Block Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir with winemaker Matt Thomson (International Wine Challenge white winemaker of the year 2008, pictured above) highlighted several critical factors concerning vineyard site selection in Marlborough, New Zealand, and picking dates and styles of Sauvignon Blanc. Matt was at pains to point out that he was expressing personal views but he speaks from more than 15 years’ experience in Marlborough and in other parts of the world, and the tasting itself confirmed much of what he proposed. As one of the few wine-growing regions in the...