When we talk about some of the finest things in life, as a typical Singaporean, wine and dine is inevitable one of the topics that we would be more interested in. For years, we have been introduced to French wines, Australian wines and maybe Chilean wines but have anyone tried wines from New Zealand? Yes, the land where Lord of the Ring was filmed is not only famous for its beautiful scenery, kiwi fruit, New Zealand is also world renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Some of the famous wine regions includes Marlborough, Martinborough and Hawks Bay. I have been blessed to meet David Babich, the CEO and the 4th generation of Babich family wine company, one of the most experienced winery in New Zealand with more than a century of history, over a luncheon at Mezza 9.
Mr David Babich shared that Babich family wine company is 100% family owned and they have a humble beginning in 1912 at the Henderson Valley. But over the years, they have ventured into some of the best wine regions in New Zealand. Currently, under their profile, they have vineyards in Marlborough, Auckland and Hawke’s Bay. Mr David Babich also mentioned that the winemaking philosophy at Babich family wine company is really simple. They plant ideal grape varieties to match with the land and the climate in the most superior vineyard sites in the right regions that they can find and make wines from the vineyard to tell a story with every bottle that they make. Really impressive, isn’t it?
For starters, we had yellowtail kingfish, charred eggplant, caviar and marsala cracker paired with Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($48) which has won DOUBLE GOLD for the Best in Show & Best Sauvignon Blanc at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition 2016. This wine has a fresh and lively tropical fruits flavours with a crisp finish and was very light-bodied and easy to drink.
Babich Family Estates Headwaters Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($62) has a citrusy backbone, hence this wine is paired with oysters and something lemony. Oh yes, did I also mention that this bottle of wine has won the silver medal in the Global Organic Masters 2017?
Next up, we had stracciatella, peperonata, basilica and schacciata paired with Babich Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 ($47). This full bodied Pinot Gris is from one of the famous wine region in New Zealand, also bagged the Silver Medal at International Wine Challenge 2018. If you like something rich with stone-fruit and spice flavours follow through with a soft finish, this might be your glass of dope.
Sometimes good things come in threes and the pairing of ox cheek pithivier, sous vide heirloom carrots, carrot puree and pan gravy together with Babich Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 ($49) and Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Pinot Noir 2015 ($66) were clearly a fine display of this notion. Babich Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 has this delicate spice, plum, cherry and earthy flavours with smooth persistent finish while Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Pinot Noir 2015 has a darker red tone with more intense flavours. If you like something more heavy bodied, Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Pinot Noir would be a good match. In fact Pinot Noir usually go well with lamb, beef and even fish! Oh yes, both of them have some gold medals under their belt!
Babich Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2014 ($58) worked well with spice rubbed venison loin, plum tortellini, vanilla chickpea puree and prune jus as the wine has strong notes of berry, plum, herb and spice. This wine has also won the Gold medal at the China Wines & Spirits Awards 2016.
Finally we were down to dessert. Most often, people feel that to pair with dessert, we need to have something really sweet e.g moscato, fortified Wine but actually a Gewürztraminer works perfectly well. The gentlemen around the table were enjoying this Babich Family Estates Gimblett Gravels Gewurztraminer 2014 ($40) as it has this lovely rose petal and lychee aromas with a complex spice finish without being overwhelmingly sweet. Amongst all the award winning wines that we have tasted, this is also one of my favourite on top of Babich Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016. Babich Family Estates Gimblett Gravels Gewurztraminer 2014 was also awarded 4 STARS by Michael Cooper under the Michael Cooper’s 2017 Wine Buyers Guide.
The luncheon with Mr David Babich from Babich family wine company had indeed opened up my eyes on this beautiful selection of New Zealand wines and I had also gained insights on what to get for my house warming party in time to come. Wine lovers who wish to try the wines from the Babich family wine company can either get them from the Straits Wine Company or while you are dine at Mezza 9.
Babich wines
Babich wines’s Website
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The Straits Wine Company
The Straits Wine Company’s Website
The Straits Wine Company’s Facebook
The Straits Wine Company’s Instagram
