 |
|
|
| |||||||||||||
|
|
Among the recognition received was a trophy for the top Sauvignon Blanc at the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition, which New Zealand won every year except once between 1989 and 1997. The country also picked up the top trophies for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Wines like the Marlborough's Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc and West Auckland's Kumeu River Chardonnay are well known throughout the world for their aromatic and refreshing tastes.
Major Wine Producing Regions There are grapevines to be found from the north to south of New Zealand. Nevertheless, it is the more significant regions that produce better wines. Auckland Since Auckland has a high level of humidity, it is sometimes difficult to produce excellent wines. However, the region is capable of producing good, solid reds, particularly based on Merlot, and excellent Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Waiheke Island, in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, makes some of the most interesting Cabernet/Merlot blends in New Zealand. Hawke's Bay This region is a good producer of Cabernet/Merlot and Chardonnay. It also makes Sauvignon Blanc that is less aromatic than its Marlborough cousin, but equally enjoyable. Crisp, floral Riesling can also be found here. Gisborne The country's bulk growing region, Gisborne is home to superb Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc and aromatic Gewürztraminer. Merlot, also produced here, is just as good. Martinborough/Wairarapa It is home to the Pinot Noir, top Chardonnay, good Riesling, and a tiny amount of New Zealand's best Pinot Gris. Marlborough The area is noted for its Sauvignon Blanc and elegant Riesling. Also available here is the country's best Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines. Nelson Production here is rather limited, but good Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir are made here. Canterbury/Wairapa This area makes good Riesling, excellent Pinot Noir, and occasionally top dessert wines. Central Otago Known for its Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Central Otago is a potential area for Méthode Champenoise because of its cold climate. Grape Varieties Most of Europe's classical grape varieties can be found in the myriad vines of New Zealand. For more than a century, winemakers have been experimenting with different grapes to see which best suit particular regions. |
|
|
BROWSE Home
l Places
of Interest l Outdoor
Travel l Food
in Asia l General
Info l Entertainment DESTINATIONS Australia
l Bali
l Brunei
l China
l Hong
Kong l Japan
l Korea
l Macau
l Malaysia
l Myanmar
l New
Zealand Designed & Maintained by Marimari.com,
Inc. For feedback and comments, please email webmaster. |
In
the past, good New Zealand wines were limited to overseas consumption.
It wasn't because production was low, but because the wines had not reached
a standard high enough to compete with wines from other regions. However,
times have changed and New Zealand is now among the top wine producers
in the world, winning international medals and trophies.
There
are, in estimation, about 250 wineries in New Zealand, with most making
less than 200,000 liters (45,000 gallons) each year. Four out of the lot
- Montana, Corbans, Vila Maria and the House of Nobilo - produce over
two million liters (450,000 gallons). New Zealand's range of latitude
is the same as the other wine regions - the Rhine, Alsace, Burgundy, and
Bordeaux. Its cool climate region allows for the grapes to grow well in
this region. Interestingly, the best way to compare the climate with that
of other grape growing regions is by measuring the Degree/Days, a system
which was first developed in California, and by measuring the number of
times each year the temperature exceeds a certain figure. The higher the
number, the warmer the region.