Wine : Wine of the Week : 1998 Huia Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand About $18

Cloudy Bay led the way for New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs with a strong presence in retail shops and wine lists in this country. Now comes this impressive Sauvignon from two winemakers who worked at Cloudy Bay and other New Zealand estates before establishing Huia Vineyards in Marlborough. In color, it is a pale, watery gold. Lightly grassy on the nose, the 1998 Huia Sauvignon Blanc is rich, yet refreshing, tasting of ripe grapes, lime and minerals. It has a beautiful balance and lacy texture, enhanced by a judicious use of oak.

Available at Wine Club, Santa Ana, (714) 835-6485; Wine Exchange, Orange, (714) 974-1454; and Pacific Ranch Market, Orange, (714) 639-9792. If you can’t find this wine, ask your local store to order it from the distributor, Palos Verdes Wine Brokerage, (310) 265-0065.