New Zealand
Majestic New Zealand
New Zealand has produced wine since Europeans first arrived in the early 19th Century. For a number of economic, legislative and cultural reasons, winemaking remained a relatively marginal affair in New Zealand until the 1960s, with most wine production centred around Auckland and being of the Fortified kind.
The 1970s jet-age saw a significant change in consumer tastes towards wine as the beverage of choice, hastening the introduction of classic French table wine varieties; Chardonnay, Cabernet and of course Sauvignon Blanc.
Today New Zealand produces an exciting and dynamic array of world-class wine styles and varieties; from intensely pungent Sauvignon Blanc, silky Pinot Noir, complex Chardonnay, spicy Syrah, through to the finest Bordeaux- inspired Cabernet blends. Though the evolution continues, enough convincing examples have already been produced to declare that New Zealand wine has truly come of age.
For information on the New Zealand Wine Industry visit nzwine.com
More than just Marlborough
What is now considered to be the single most important decision in New Zealand winemaking history took place in the 1970s when Montana, in the Marlborough district, started producing Sauvignon Blanc. Since then, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has gone on to become one of the most popular regional wine styles anywhere on the planet, including Australia where it currently sits as the number one best selling style, white or red.
The power of the brand name that is ‘Marlborough Sauvignon’ has undoubtedly overshadowed the contribution of other regions of New Zealand - regions equally worthy of attention.
Over the following pages we take a journey to a number of these regions, focusing on unique varietal strengths and styles of each, and of course pay homage to the region that got the world talking. This is by no means a comprehensive journey, rather a brief introduction to the exciting New Zealand wine industry.
Icons of New Zealand
Cloudy Bay
Te Koko
Marlborough NZ
Sauvignon Blanc 2007
‘And now for something completely different... Big, mellow, grassy wine with great mouth feel and an array of flavours...Big and complex wine that works for me.’
95/100
Bob Campbell MW bobswinereviews.com
Felton Road
Bannockburn
Central Otago NZ
Pinot Noir 2009
‘Felton Road really is a fine winemaker. This is its regular bottling and what a wine, with lush, dark cherry and mysterious foresty aromas. It’s very ripe and rich and the palate has intensity and drive, with fresh acidity keeping it all singing.’
95/100
Huon Hooke Good Living The Sydney Morning Herald November 2nd 2010
Ata Rangi
Martinborough NZ
Pinot Noir 2009
‘The icon is in fine form once again, showing all the haunting complexities and swirling grace that sets this wine apart as New Zealand’s pre-eminent pinot noir…The palate sweeps out a web of finely meshed tannin that has incredible depth, yet carries an immense sense of delicacy and elegance…Superb once again.’
97/100
Nick Stock The Age Sydney Morning Herald Penguin Good Wine Guide 2011
Craggy Range Le Sol
Gimblett Gravels
Hawke’s Bay NZ
Syrah 2008
‘This flagship is dark and inky in the glass, and is steeped in concentrated spicy, cool-climate syrah characters: peppered plum and blackberry, some red fruits and an abundance of fragrance and exotic allure. The palate’s superbly knitted together.’
96/100
Nick Stock The Age Sydney Morning Herald Penguin Good Wine Guide 2011
NZ Snapshot
- New Zealand wine is largely produced in ten major wine regions spanning latitudes 34° North to 47° South and extending 1,600 kilometres.¹
- During the 6–year period 2006 to 2012 the total area of producing vines is projected to expand from 22,617 to 33,600 hectares — a rise of nearly 48%²
- In 2009 Pinot Noir had the second largest area under vine at 18% after Sauvignon Blanc at 42%²
¹newzealand.com ²New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Report 2010
Featured Regions
South Island
