NEW ZEALAND WINE

While New Zealand has a rich winemaking heritage, it wasn’t until the 1980s that it gained international recognition for its premium Sauvignon Blanc wines and opened the door for the world’s wine lovers to explore its winemaking. Today, Sauvignon Blanc remains New Zealand’s most renowned wine, but there are many other styles and types to discover.

The country’s unique geographical positioning, spanning the warmer North Island and the cooler South Island, means there are many microclimates suitable for growing grapes. Other New Zealand wines include Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling and Merlot.

New Zealand boasts numerous celebrated wine regions across its North and South Islands, including:

• Auckland – On the North Island, a small area just outside Auckland is home to boutique wineries focusing on Chardonnay, Merlot and Bordeaux-style blends. The grapes thrive here thanks to the region’s warmer climate.
• Central Otago – Located on the South Island, Central Otago is known for its striking landscapes and cooler climate. It produces silky Pinot Noir wines rich in concentrated flavours.
• Gisborne – With a warm climate and extended sunlight hours, Gisborne creates a perfect environment for Chardonnay grapes. Wines made here are full-bodied, with sweet notes of tropical and stone fruits.
• Hawke’s Bay – This is New Zealand’s oldest and second-largest wine region, situated on the North Island. Its varied microclimates allow winemakers to experiment with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Here, they create Bordeaux-style reds with plenty of character.
• Marlborough – Also on the South Island, Marlborough is the most significant wine region in New Zealand. It is responsible for around three-quarters of the country’s wine. Renowned for its exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough’s wines feature unique citrus and green herb flavours.
• Wairarapa – This region is located at the foot of the Tararua Range on the North Island. The nearby mountains protect the vineyards from cool sea breezes. The region’s temperate climate and limited rainfall makes it ideal for cultivating Pinot Noir. It also grows other varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Riesling.

New Zealand is best known for its excellent light- to medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc. Expect a refreshing acidity and flavours of gooseberry and citrus.

While most of New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc originates from Marlborough, it’s also grown in North Island regions, such as Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa. The wines have minor differences – Sauvignon Blanc from the North Island is radiant and crisp, while South Island versions are softer and fruitier.

The distinct style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc sets it apart from expressions of the grape from other regions.

Firstly, the wines tend to have intense aromas and flavours – look out for flavours including gooseberry, passion fruit, grapefruit and kiwi, along with herbaceous notes of green pepper and cut grass. Many wines also have a subtle flinty note. New Zealand’s cool climate helps to retain the fresh acidity in the grapes but also allows the wine’s aromas to develop fully.

In contrast, French Sauvignon Blancs from the Loire Valley are far more subtle and have notably higher mineral content. Wines from Chile, South Africa or California will all have their own characteristics, thanks to the various environments where the Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown.

Given its herbaceous flavours, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice to pair with green vegetable dishes such as asparagus risotto. Its light body also works well with the delicate flavours of shellfish, white fish, poultry and pork dishes. The wine’s high acidity means it pairs well with soft cheeses such as burrata and goat’s cheese.

Aside from the ever-popular Sauvignon Blanc, there are many delicious New Zealand wines to try:

• Chardonnay – Chardonnay is grown along the North Island’s east coast, most notably in Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Gisborne. These wines have an excellent balance of fruit flavours and acidity. They are available in a range of styles, from crisp and unoaked to rich and buttery.
• Riesling – New Zealand Rieslings are expressive of their terroir and known for their longevity. These wines come in a wide range of flavours and styles, from intensely dry to very sweet, offering a delightful blend of stone fruit aromas and lively acidity.
• Pinot Gris – Another popular white wine from New Zealand, Pinot Gris is usually semi-sweet and has flavours of ripe pear, apple, and spice. It strikes a good balance between sweetness and acidity.
• Pinot Noir – The most widely grown red variety in New Zealand, Pinot Noir thrives in the South Island’s Central Otago region. These medium-bodied wines are vibrant and fruit-forward, showing characteristic earthy notes and complex flavours of plum, raspberry and dark cherry.
• Premium Bordeaux-style blends – A speciality in Hawke’s Bay, blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot make complex, robust rest wines with dark fruit flavours and hints of spice.