Tussock is a kind of grass that grows longer than the grass surrounding it.
A jumper is a sweater - in this case, a red one.
Tussock Jumper Wines says that "tussock" represents their commitment to sustainable wines, and the red jumper is a mark of quality.
A publicist tells me that Tussock Jumper is a French negociant. They own no vineyards but select quality grapes from small farms in multiple regions, around the globe. Their wines are blended and bottled locally in order to support micro economies. The U.S. importer, TRI-VIN, has a list of 24 wines available, from eleven different wine regions around the world.
Each bottle shows a different animal wearing the red jumper. Despite the "critter label" aspect, I found these wines to be very tasty, even interesting. A mobile app is available which allows one to scan the label and get an earful about what's in the bottle from the animal itself. I found the iPhone app to be balky and just plain goofy, not at all representative of the wine - which deserves much better.
This off-dry wine was made with minimal cellar intervention, from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes picked in select vineyards in the Helderberg and Paarl regions, as well as from the high slopes of the Du Toitskloof mountains. The Western Cape wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks, where it lay on the spent yeast cells for about four months before blending. Alcohol hits 13% abv and it is available for $13.
This wine has a slightly yellow tint and a nose that is all about the minerals. The smell of lemon zest, tropical fruit and a wet sidewalk all play into the aroma package. The palate shows various kinds of citrus, stone fruit and a rich salinity, not to mention the racy acidity. It's time for shellfish or crustaceans, or any kind of seafood, really.
These Riesling grapes came from the Rheinhessen region of western Germany, along the Mosel and Rhein river banks, where some of Germany's warmest and driest growing conditions are found. Tank fermented, the wine sat on the lees - the spent yeast cells - for three months, giving it more weight and added complexity. Alcohol is low, at only 10.5% abv, and the retail price is just $12.
This pale, off-dry wine's nose features scents of lemon, apricot, apple and cantaloupe. The palate is mineral-driven with a decent acidity, although not razor-sharp. Pair it with Thai or Indian curries, sushi or seafood risotto.
Marlborough's 2020 growing season had lengthy dry spells, which the folks at TJ say led to concentrated flavors and aromas. This vintage is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, made from a blend of three vineyards, two in Wairau Valley, and one in Waihopai Valley. The wine aged on the lees for approximately four weeks before filtering. Alcohol tips 12.5% abv and the price is $12.
This pale, yellow wine smells extremely grassy - no surprise for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. There is also a large swath of grapefruit, cantaloupe and tropical fruits cutting through the nose. The grapefruit comes through explosively on the palate, along with a mineral streak a mile wide. The mouthfeel is quite crisp and the acidity zippy. There is just a tiny hint of sweetness here, and the citrus flavor lasts a long while on the finish. You can pair this with any sort of white meat or seafood, but I think it would be a great choice to go with one's breakfast eggs, if one were so inclined.
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