01 Apr New World Sauvignon Blanc – 2020 Kim Crawford
Old World wine vs. New World wine.
Here’s the difference.
Old World = Europe. New World = U.S., Australia/New Zealand, South America.
Depending on the specific type of wine, the distinction
between Old World and New World can be significant.
Sauvignon Blanc is a great example.
While Old World Sauvignon Blanc (usually French) is typically
crisp, rustic and lower in alcohol,
New World Sauvignon Blanc tends to be fuller-bodied
and brimming with lush tropical fruit flavors.
It’s Wine Thursday!, our weekly good-wine-at-a-good-price-
that-you-can-find review, just in time for the weekend.
This week, we’re focused on a Sauvignon Blanc
that stylistically is full-on New World.
But first, the story behind the name.
photo courtesy Forbes
Unlike Betty Crocker, Mrs. Butterworth and Dr. Pepper,
there actually is a Kim Crawford.
Along with his wife, Erica,
Crawford launched his eponymous wine brand
in Auckland, New Zealand in the late 90’s.
The Crawfords focused on Sauvignon Blanc.
Things took off.
In 2003, they were bought out for $50 million.
Kim and Erica started a new wine brand
with a new name, Loveblock.
Meanwhile, a major wine conglomerate
keeps churning out Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc.
Fortunately for consumers, the level of quality that
Kim and Erica established decades ago lives on.
The 2020 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc screams New World.
It’s fruit-forward with a crisp combination of pineapple and lemon-lime citrus.
While this wine’s aromatics lead you to believe it will be on the sweet side,
it’s actually tart and tangy.
There’s a reason this is the top selling Sauvignon Blanc in the U.S.
It’s refreshing, lively and well-balanced.
A good value? No, a great value.
You’ll find Kim Crawford 2020 Sauvignon Blanc at Total Wine for $10.97.
It’s in the wooden boxes at Costco for $11.69.
You can order it online from Empire Wine for $12.99
Fred Meyer has it for $13.99.
It’s at Safeway and Albertson’s for $15.99.
And it’s the same price at Wine.com, $15.99