Cellar Tastings

Twenty years ago, nobody could have imagined that a tiny country in the South Pacific, more famous for wool production than wine, could have made wines great enough to challenge the famed wines of Pouilly Fume or Sancerre at international wine competitions. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is one of the biggest success stories of the twentieth century. Wines such as Cloudy Bay’s Sauv Blanc have become mythical and roll off the tongue of wine connoisseurs everywhere. The best-regarded wine regions include Marlborough, Otago and Nelson on the South Island and Hawke’s Bay, Waikato and Gisborne from the North Island. The grape of the 21st century is considered to be Pinot Noir, with examples of Kiwi Pinot giving the Burgundians a run for their money.

Gisborne

Located on the east coast of the North Island, Gisborne is one of the largest wine regions in New Zealand, producing 1847 ha. Prncipally a white wine region, the grapes produced in Gisborne have traditionally been used primarily for blending (particularly Muller-Thurgau, the grape staple for wine in a box). However, premium wine has become the focus and sub regions such as Poverty bay are knocking out smashing wines. Apart from elegant Chardonnays (Villa Maria in particular, makes a wonderful Chardonnay), Gewurztraminer and Chenin Blanc are also becoming more widely planted. Wines from this region are zippy and fresh, and perfectly designed to be drunk young.

Best Producers: Villa Maria, Robard & Butler, Corbans, Matua Valley, Millton, Montana, Nobilo, and Revington.

Central Otago

Located on the South Island, Central Otago is the only wine region in New Zealand with a continental climate. Cooler than the Mosel in some areas, it has perfect conditions for Pinot Noir and Riesling. It is the most southern of New Zealand’s wine regions and has various sheltered areas with optimum growing conditions and microclimates. Early-ripening varieties such as Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay do very well in this region. Pinot Noir also fares amazingly well in this microclimate. Some of the best Kiwi Pinots are coming from Central Otago There are 31 wineries currently planted in this area, but it is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Bendigo is the area to watch here.

Best producers: Chard Farm, Bannockburn Heights, Felton Road, Gibbston Valley, Rippon Vineyard

Hawkes Bay

Also on the North Island, Hawkes Bay is New Zealand’s oldest and most prestigious area. It has about 2800 ha of vineyards and ideal tierra and microclimate conditions to produce a range of wine styles. This wine region is the driest in New Zealand. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot have been well accepted. Sauvignon Blanc varieties tend to be fruity and Syrah varieties are showing good prospects. Bordeaux blends and Sauvignon Blancs are really the stars of the region.

Best producers: Babich, Church Road, Clearview Estate, Collards, Coopers Creek, Corbans, Craggy Road, Delegat’s, Matua Valley, Mills Reef, Morton Estate, Ngatarawa, CJ Pask, Stonecroft, Te Awa Farm, Te Mata, Trinity Hill, Vidal, Alpha Domus and Esk Valley.

Marlborough

he most internationally famous wine Kiwi wine region, Marlborough is located on the northeastern tip of the South Island. This high demand region is growing rapidly despites its dry summers and frosty winter weather. Montana Wines was the first vineyard in the region taking on a lot of risk in scale and unlikely potential. After Montana’s monumental success with Sauvignon Blanc, the region has been growing rapidly. It is New Zealand’s largest wine producing area with over 60 winemakers. The greatest asset of Marlborough is its long days and dry fall weather, cool nights, and well-drained soils. Frost protection measures and a great level of irrigation keep this region on its feet. This region produces stunning Sauvignon Blanc’s and world- renowned Chardonnay. Riesling is a star quality wine with enchanting lime and fruit flavors. Sparkling wines are traditionally in Marlborough blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The most famous Sauvingon Blanc in the country is made here, Cloudy Bay. Cloudy Bay, a complete cult wine, now forms a part of the French Veuve Clicquot House, along with the delicious sparkling wines of Pelorus.

Best producers: Cloudy Bay, Babich, Cairnbrae, Cellier, Cloudy Bay, Pelorus, Collards, Corbans, Cottage Block, Huntaway, Stoneleigh, Craggy range, Kim Crawford, Oyster Bay, Fromm, Goldwater, Hunter’s, Lawson’s, Montana, Nobilo, Selaks, Seresin, Vavasour, and Villa Maria

Other Regions

Other New Zealand wine regions include: Nelson (some of the country’s best “boutique wineries”), Martinborough (a sub-sub region of Wellington County, making top Pinot Noirs), Canterbury (outside Christchurch), Auckland County (over 80 wineries, mainly red wines), Waikato excellent region for late harvest Botrytized wines).