Here is a thing; I can run 100 meters. It happens slowly and inelegantly and nobody with an ounce of sense would think to put me and Usain Bolt on a running track together and expect any sort of contest. It would be ludicrous.

As ludicrous, I would argue, as the promoters of New Zealand wines opting to present a comparative tasting of their Chardonnay wines against a selection of Grand Cru Chablis.

In fairness, the organisers had called it ‘New Zealand Chardonnay vs Chablis — an interesting head to head’, and it seemed to me that it had been a crafty person in the Chablis office that had arranged to send only Grand Cru wines.

It was a very odd person at Wines of New Zealand that had not requested that the Chablis wines include some of the more standard, village wines, rather than just the wines from the finest sites.

In the end, the head to head was wearyingly predictable.

There were some very nice New Zealand Chardonnays, all of which were significantly cheaper than the Grand Cru Chablis, but not one of them came close to reaching the dazzlingly crisp, complex, textured minerality of the top Chablis.

That aside, New Zealand does make some fabulously exciting wines and their popularity continues to grow in the UK.

In fact almost half of the Sauvignon Blanc consumed in the UK in 2010 was from New Zealand. For many, Marlborough is still the epicentre of New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc wine production but to keep us consumers on our toes, Marlborough wines are increasingly being promoted by sub-region’.

Names to look out for are Wairau, Awatere and Southern Valleys.

I have an increasing fondness for the wines of Awatere — a valley in the southeast of Marlborough.

The wines seem to share a chalky, stony aroma with bright, elegant fruit that I love. Hennings Wine (www.henningswine.co.uk) sells the Blind River Sauvignon Blanc (£12.99 for the 2009 vintage) that is one of the best of my recent finds.

The good things do not end at Sauvignon Blanc.

Take a look at Syrah too. Wine Rack (www.winerack.co.uk) sells the very correct, plum and spice-driven Villa Maria Cellar Selection Syrah for £12.49.

If there are any spare pennies in the kitty, then look out for the magnificent Bridge Pa Syrah 2005.

I fell head over heels for the fragrant, earthy, spicy nature of hedgerow fruit and the lovely balance of this wine (£17.99 www.henningswine.co.uk).

The Kiwis give us no end of wonderful wines to enjoy, so let us focus on those rather than make unfair and unhelpful comparisons.

To find our more about Sarah and to sign up for her wine postcards, visit www.wine-talk.co.uk