Chasing Venus Sauvignon Blanc

Chasing Venus Sauvignon Blanc is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand, bottled at 12.5% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and a Double Gold medal at the Sunset International Wine Competition, establishing this label as a serious value player among Marlborough whites.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand  |  Style: Cool-Climate Sauvignon Blanc  |  Producer: Crew Wine Company

Production & Heritage

Chasing Venus is produced by Crew Wine Company, which also operates under the Matchbook Wine Company name. The grapes are sourced from Marlborough — New Zealand's premier Sauvignon Blanc region, defined by its gravelly soils and long, cool growing seasons. Fermentation takes place at cold temperatures in stainless steel tanks, a method designed to preserve the grape's aromatic intensity and bright acidity. It is worth noting that while the fruit originates in Marlborough, the wine is shipped in bulk to Crew's California facility for finishing and bottling — a hybrid production model increasingly common among value-tier New Zealand imports.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose is highly perfumed and immediately expressive, opening with explosive passionfruit, ripe pineapple and mango. Behind that tropical surge come signature Marlborough markers: fresh-mown grass, bell pepper and green herbal notes.

Taste: The palate enters with bright citrus — grapefruit and lime zest at the front — then broadens into lychee, star fruit and guava through the mid-palate. A gently slippery texture gives the wine an unexpected viscosity, while crisp acidity keeps everything balanced and lively.

Finish: The finish is clean and lingering, driven by zesty lime pith and a thread of lemongrass. It leaves a refreshing, almost electric impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Chasing Venus

Chasing Venus drinks well chilled to around 45–50°F, straight from the glass without any fuss. Its bright acidity and aromatic punch also make it an excellent cocktail wine. A White Wine Spritzer amplifies its tropical aromatics with sparkling water and a citrus twist. A Sauvignon Blanc Sangria loaded with sliced kiwi, lime and passionfruit rounds out the wine's natural fruit character. It also works in a Hugo Spritz variation, where elderflower liqueur and mint complement the wine's herbal side.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want something vibrant without deliberation
• Outdoor entertaining on warm afternoons — patio-friendly and crowd-pleasing
• Introducing someone to the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc style
• Pairing with Southeast Asian takeout or fresh shellfish

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chasing Venus taste like? Chasing Venus delivers a burst of tropical fruit — passionfruit, grapefruit and mango — followed by herbal notes of fresh-cut grass and bell pepper, all carried by a bright, crisp acidity and a lingering lime-zest finish.

How does Chasing Venus compare to Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc? Both are Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs with classic tropical and herbaceous profiles, but Chasing Venus tends to lean slightly more tropical and perfumed, with a softer, more textured mid-palate. Kim Crawford typically runs a touch more structured and herbally driven, though both sit in a similar value tier.

Is Chasing Venus good for beginners? Its aromatic intensity and fruit-forward character make it one of the more approachable Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough, and its crisp acidity keeps it refreshing rather than cloying — a strong starting point for anyone exploring the varietal.

Where is Chasing Venus made? The grapes are grown in Marlborough, on New Zealand's South Island, the country's most celebrated Sauvignon Blanc region. The wine is finished and bottled at the Crew Wine Company facility in California.

What foods pair well with Chasing Venus? Thai green curry benefits from the wine's acidity cutting through coconut richness. Fresh oysters on the half shell align with its mineral-edged citrus notes. Goat cheese salads mirror the wine's herbaceous character. Ceviche echoes its lime-driven finish. Grilled shrimp with mango salsa matches its tropical fruit profile note for note.

What sizes does Chasing Venus come in? Chasing Venus Sauvignon Blanc is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Chasing Venus worth the price? Chasing Venus positions as an entry-level Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that punches above its weight — a 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast and a Platinum Award from the Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition (2020 vintage) are uncommon accolades at this value tier.

Why Chasing Venus?

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most crowded categories on any wine shelf, and Chasing Venus distinguishes itself with a competition track record that includes a Platinum Award at the Critics Challenge and a Double Gold at the Sunset International Wine Competition. Cold fermentation in stainless steel preserves every ounce of Marlborough's signature aromatics, delivering a textbook expression of the region at a fraction of what many competitors charge. The wine's slightly slippery texture and ripe tropical lean give it personality beyond the generic "grassy and citrusy" template. For a reliable, well-made Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that has been validated by multiple critics and competitions, Chasing Venus is a label that consistently delivers.