Tasting notes:

The Wairau Valley was the first area in Marlborough to be planted with wine grapes (around 1873), but the modern era began 100 years later when Montana pioneered the area. Villa Maria is one of the oldest producers. This wine, pale lime green-coloured, has very good varietal definition, exhibiting gooseberry, nettle and freshly mown grass with a flinty undertone. Dry, the light bodied palate shows bright fruit with racy acidity to balance, and good length. A wine to match steamed globe artichokes with a dill-mayonnaise dip. (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)