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Wines of New Zealand

From A to Z  

   © New Zealand Winegrowers Inc / Waiheke24_RBPHOTO   

Behind the Sauvignon domination, there is a lot of diversity in New Zealand wines. Packed along the eastern coastlines of the country’s two great islands, where they are protected from rains by interior mountain ranges, the country’s regions and varieties spread over some 1,600 kilometers of play land.   

vintage photo of grape harvestingvintage photo of grape harvesting

  © Church.Road  

Authenticity and heritage  

Although NZ’s most iconic varietals only became internationally famous in the 1990’s, the first recorded vine planted dates back to 1819. A relatively short history compared to Old World countries, but nonetheless providing plenty of traditions. By combining this heritage with innovative winemaking techniques, producers hit that sweet spot and balance to craft great wines.    

That and terroir, of course. Each cuvée expresses the precise combination of elements (soil, climate) that can only be found in a specific region and time, leading to authentic and unique wines. 

A bright (green) future 

Green isn’t just a colour that dominates the scenery and rich landscape of New Zealand – it’s also a strong focus of the local wine industry, ensuring its future on the islands, while preserving its natural beauty. Two distinctive elements are that:  The country is among the leaders in organic certification, with over 10% of vineyards certified according to Organic Winegrowers New Zealand.   The Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) initiative is a national certification that now includes 96% of all the country’s vineyards. It sets a scorecard for participating vineyards that includes 6 sustainability focus areas aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Soil, Water, Plant Protection, Waste, People and more recently Climate Change. 

   © New Zealand Winegrowers Inc / Yealands.Estate   

Packed with diversity  

Yes, Sauvignon Blanc is big in NZ, but if you if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a lot of diversity. Did you know the country’s Central Otago Valley is one of the world’s highly regarded spots for growing Pinot Noir? Not to mention it’s the southernmost vineyard in the world. How about that for fun facts at dinner.  

 

Varieties across the land :

• Hawkes Bay produces some juicy and bold Syrah.

• Lively sparkling wines shine bright in the cooler southern vineyards.

• Pinot Noir reaches impressive levels of finesse and generosity in the south’s Central Otago.

• Pinot Gris, scattered across the country, is making waves thanks to an Alsace-like style.

• Chardonnay, both grown on cooler and warmer spots of the islands, produces some stunning, age-worthy wines that rival the best in the world.  

 

Although not nearly as present, you’ll also find some distinctive New Zealand Gamay, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer.  

Great table mates 

If you need one takeaway from NZ wines it’s this: versatility. Different profiles make for versatile options that pair well with our local cuisine, from cheeses to seafood. And because of their elegant and balanced nature, NZ wines also lend themselves to both everyday meals and gourmet experiences. Here are a few classic pairings to try.  

You could also enjoy: 

  • Sauvignon blanc
    Wine cultivation

    Sauvignon blanc

    Sauvignon is a grape native to the Gironde and the Loire, in France (two regions which claim its origin). It produces very distinctive wines with great freshness where fruity and herbaceous notes intermingle. Besides France, it has adapted wonderfully well to New Zealand, Chile and the United States (California).

    Read more
  • Pinot noir
    Wine cultivation

    Pinot noir

    Grown in Champagne, Savoy, the Loire Valley and Alsace, Pinot Noir owes its fame to the great wines of Burgundy. The cool regions of California, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina also allow it to thrive. It is the source of delicate wines with complex aromas of red fruits and spices.

    Read more

In partnership with New Zealand wine