We have posted two wine reviews during January this year, so clearly we did not participate in Dry January. We do have an appreciation for wines with lower alcohol, however, and it factors significantly in the wines we choose to drink. Some critics will say balance is more important than ABV and don’t list ABV in their reviews, but both are equally important to me. Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc, at 9% ABV, definitely fits into that lower alcohol range, and without removing alcohol from the wine. We received this wine as a tasting sample.
Brancott Estate grew out of Montana Wines which was established near Auckland, New Zealand by Ivan Yukich and his family in the 1940s. Ivan’s son, Frank, is credited with planting the first vineyards on New Zealand’s south island on Marlborough farmland. Until then, 1973, the south island was thought to be too cold to successfully grow wine grapes. Frank proved that was not true and the winery released the first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in 1979. Now wine enthusiasts around the world are familiar with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Ownership of the winery moved out of family hands to a series of corporate interests beginning in the 1990s and Montana Wines eventually became Brancott Estate.
Brancott’s approach to making lower ABV wines in its Flight Song range, which also includes Pinot Grigio, begins in the vineyard with canopy management and earlier harvest decisions. Once in the cellar, winemaking is described as “intentional”. Along with lower ABV comes fewer calories: 92 per 5-oz serving according to the label.
2024 Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand — light yellow with aromas of tart gooseberry, cut grass and a hint of peaches. Flavors lead with gooseberries, cut grass, oat hay and underripe peaches in a light body. Citrusy acidity supports the primarily herbaceous flavors. 9% ABV. SRP $14
There is certainly no sacrifice in flavors for the lower ABV (for comparison, the 2024 Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc is 12.5% ABV according to one online retailer.) The flavors are fresh, layered and recognizable as New Zealand in origin. Or, as Pete put it in his one-sentence review, “Tastes like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.”
Thanks to Calhoun & Company Communications for organizing our tasting.
Cheers!
