Brent Marris is winemaking royalty. And it turns out, he may be descended from actual royalty too. His ancestor, William de Marisco was rumoured to be the illegitimate son of Henry I – not that that guaranteed the family good relations with royalty. The de Mariscos spent much of the 12th and 13th centuries living a life of piracy on the Isle of Lundy. Brent created the King Series to celebrate his family’s history, and their tempestuous relationship with the monarchy. This is a classic Waihopai Sauvignon Blanc – an important Marlborough sub-region where the wines are particularly vibrant. Think guava, gooseberry and a hint of blackcurrant leaf which sets this apart from the standard. Of course, it’s also mouth-wateringly fresh – a dream with barbecued fish with mango salsa.