New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc was the first wine to put New Zealand on the map, and it developed a cult following with millions around the globe. It is regarded by many wine critics as among the best in the world. Sauvignon Blanc is the flagship varietal of New Zealand. The grape originates from Bordeaux and is one of the world’s most widely planted grapes.

Marlborough is the most revered wine-producing region in the small country, accounting for 62% of all Sauvignon Blanc wine produced in New Zealand. Southern regions have longer, cooler growing conditions that promote stronger, more vibrant fruit flavours and higher acidity levels. The resulting wines are more pungent, and crisper, with passionfruit and other tropical fruit flavours, red pepper (capsicum) and gooseberry characters.

New Zealand Chardonnay

New Zealand Chardonnay strongly reflects the unique terroir, and the huge diversity within the different region. Chardonnay is produced as far south as Central Otago, but plantings increase the further north one goes. There is little discernible difference in styles of Chardonnay between the New Zealand wine regions; individual winemakers’ recipes, use of oak, and the particular qualities of a vintage have tended to blur any distinction of terroir.

It is therefore unsurprising that almost every region is represented among the most highly rated New Zealand Chardonnays, which include wines from Villa Maria, Kumeu River Estate (Kumeu), Church Road, Clearview, Sacred Hill, and Te Mata Estate (Hawke’s Bay) and Ata Rangi (Martinborough). The Hawkes Bay tend to produce very concentrated medium to full bodied wines with peach, melon and citrus/grapefruit flavours.

New Zealand Riesling

Styles range from bone dry to lushly sweet. You’ll find stonefruit and spice characters from sunny Nelson; lemon and lime from Marlborough; and green apples, minerality and citrus from the cooler North Canterbury and Central Otago regions.

Though present in the 1800s, it is only since the 1980s that Riesling began to be planted in volume, rising to the fourth most popular white variety planted in recent years.

Over 90% of Riesling is grown in the South Island. The South Island’s bright days, cool nights and long, dry autumns and low humidity create the perfect climate for Riesling.