New Zealand

New Zealand is renowned for its excellent wine producing vineyards. Distributed on both North and South Islands. Its most famous style is the Sauvignon Blanc with its intense flavour and aroma. Mainly a white wine producing country, the Southern Island has recently improved the vintages of its red styles and is now exporting great Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, along with a world beating Pinot Noir.

The main vineyard region on the North Island is based down at the Southern most tip area of Wairarapa and further north Hawke’s Bay. The wine regions on the South Island are mainly in the north in Marlborough, which produces the fantastic Sauvignon Blanc. Due to the climate which creates cool nights and long ripening days of sun, maintaining the natural acidity in the grapes.

A general rule to choosing vintages from New Zealand, the younger the vintage the better the taste and quality of the wine. Look out for vintages of 2000 or 1995 and 1996 for Pinot Noir

Vineyards in this area