Going Wild White With Kirkland

Photo: Pamela Barker

Wine snobbery is not my thing, but discussing good buys on good wine, now that is my thing. So, let's get cheap, winely (yes, I'm not too proud to make up words) speaking.

It seems there are conflicting opinions on the Marlborough wine growing region in New Zealand. If we ever go there, I will decide for myself what they are really famous for -- red or white.

However, for today let's focus on the Costco brand, Kirkland, and more specifically white, Sauvignon Blanc (translation: Wild White).

This store brand lands near the $10 price point, so I decided to give it try. The green bottle and generic label are not what peaked my interest. My shelf was calling.


So, first, let's stop for a brief moment and discuss the Marlborough region. It seems this region is know for soils and climate enabling growers to create very fine wine.

Now, red wine drinkers will probably chime in here and say New Zealand's most famous wines are Merlot and Syrah. Well, I love a good debate, but living in the warm clime of South Florida, a very chilled white Sauvignon is my choice. I will sip a Chardonnay, to be pleasant in a social setting, I mean manners matter.

Although we have a wine chiller, I prefer to pop white wine directly into a full-on refrigerator to generate a bold-cold that is perfect for my taste.

Popping the screw-top off, I poured this Kirkland Signature Ti Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blance into a properly chilled stemmed (don't get me started on stemless wine glasses) white wine glass, and sipped. My first impression was about the color, which was light and bright. As I sipped, the fruity aromas were instantly present. This varietal was brimming with lemon, pineapple, melon, with a touch of apple and guava. What's not to love, right?

Actually, I found this wine very similar to Nobilo in both taste and price, but this one has a hint more acidity.

There are over 150 wineries in New Zealand. This Sauvignon Blanc is produced by Ti Point wines, creating grape-goodness for over 30 years.

So, is it a Chill or Swill?

#Chill.

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