New Zealand makes wine, and this is what it grows.
Growers build the wines around Sauvignon Blanc, filling out the blend with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Vines root into greywacke, schist and volcanic.
The climate is maritime/oceanic, running continental.
The vineyards themselves read as island.
Red wine, dry white wine and sweet white wine, plus one more is what the region is known for, and in the glass it shows crisp and aromatic and rich and complex.
The named areas within are Marlborough, Central Otago, Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough and Canterbury.
Producers worth knowing include Ata Rangi, Cloudy Bay, Felton Road and Kumeu River.
Pour them alongside seafood, poultry, spicy asian dishes and cheese.
decant before pouring.
Keeps for 5 to 10 years.
In the glass.
Dry white: Crisp and aromatic.
Red: Rich and complex.
Grapes planted here.
Producers worth knowing.
Bottles to look for.
- Ata Rangi Pinot Noir, Martinborough, New Zealand
- Bell Hill Pinot Noir, Canterbury, New Zealand
- Cloudy Bay Chardonnay, Marlborough, New Zealand
- Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand
- Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
- Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
- Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough, New Zealand
- Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
At the table.
- seafood
- poultry
- spicy Asian dishes
- cheese
Serving and cellaring.
- decant before pouring.
- Keeps for 5 to 10 years.
Inside the region.
Nearby regions.
New Zealand: common questions
01.What grapes is New Zealand known for?+
02.What kind of wine does New Zealand make?+
03.Where is New Zealand?+
04.What food goes with New Zealand wine?+
05.How long does New Zealand wine age?+
More from here: every wine region in New Zealand.