British talk show host (and truly one of the only entertaining ones out there) Graham Norton has been dabbling in a completely different trade as of late, partnering with inventive New Zealand winemaker Invivo to produce his very own Sauvignon Blanc. This isn’t the first time a celebrity has gone hands-on with the wine business, but so far cynicism doesn’t seem be playing a part, with the wine going on to sell over 400,000 bottles in the six months since its release. This has obviously caught the attention of wine distributors across Australia, and so ubiquitous alcohol hub BWS have come on to sell the wine exclusively across the country.
Being that this is one of the most successful celebrity wine collaborations ever is of particular interest to wine lovers in Australia, even more so because it’s a blend of wines from both Wairau Valley and Awatere Valley, two of the Marlborough regions best. Norton and Chief Winemaker Rob Cameron worked together to blend grapes from some of the region’s growers, flying all the necessary equipment – measuring jugs, pipettes, tasting glasses, and pressings – from New Zealand to London to do so. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc which has gone to win multiple awards, including a Double Gold Medal at the 2015 China Wine and Spirit Awards, which is Asia’s largest wine show, as well as four silver medals from various international shows including the Marlborough Wine Show and International Aromatics Show.
“Graham is a huge Invivo fan and recently even became a shareholder in our winery,” said Cameron. “Our dealings with him showed us he really knows wine. So this year we thought we’d put him in the driver’s seat”.
So how is it?
There’s a strong, crisp acidity that rounds the wine out after layers and layers of fruit, a typically clean NZ white with a palate that’s well connected to its nose of tropical, citrus, and herb notes. It’s nice and simple like that, not too distinctive, but not at all a disappointment, with a long finish that brings back the fresh, soft tropical fruit notes.
You can grab a bottle of Graham Norton’s Own from any BWS store for $20 per bottle. ABV is 12.5%. For BSW locations head HERE.
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