New Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc from Brancott Estate brings sweet taste to Rugby World Cup 2011

Wine lovers can enjoy the sweet taste of victory during this year’s Rugby World Cup as Brancott Estate, proud Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2011, releases its first late harvest Sauvignon Blanc in time to celebrate kick-off.

The fruit for Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘B’ Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2011 was grown on Brancott Vineyard, home of New Zealand’s original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the new Brancott Estate Heritage Centre. Unlike fruit for the famous dry-style Sauvignon Blanc, the grapes for this wine were purposely left on the vine to sweeten further, condensing the flavours and adding a distinctive honeyed hue to the eventual wine.

It was late May before the grapes were hand harvested, with whole bunches gently bag-pressed over a period of five hours, extracting a small amount of high-quality juice which was then fermented and crafted into an intense, luscious wine. This finished wine displays lifted aromas of mango, peach and passionfruit on the nose, followed on the palate by rich layers of tropical and stone fruit flavours that linger.

With its estate-grown origin and careful, hands-on winemaking, the wine achieved the quality standards expected of Brancott Estate’s prestigious Letter Series, of which it is set to become a feature in seasons where ideal conditions allow this style to be created.

Crafted from the 2011 vintage, Brancott Estate’s debut dessert wine is being released in time for Rugby World Cup 2011.

“Brancott Estate is an Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2011, so having such an exceptional new dessert wine available during this global showcase is special for us,” says Patrick Materman, Chief Winemaker for Brancott Estate.

Presented in a sleek 375ml bottle, Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘B’ Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc carries a recommended retail price of $36.99. www.brancottestate.com