Columns
New Zealand Wines: There’s more to them than Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand, the land of Kiwi birds, Lord of the Rings, breathtaking landscapes and pungent Sauvignon Blanc. This remote island nation in the Pacific Ocean is close to 2000 km south-east of Australia and it is composed of two long main islands, called simply North and South Island.
New Zealand credit photo Canvas
New Zealand’s vineyards are some of the southernmost in the world and since the majority of them are located at the eastern side of both islands they are the first in the world to greet the sun each day! Although vines have been planted there since the 1820’s, New Zealand became a modern success story only in the mid 1980’s when one wine became so incredibly famous that it was able to pull the whole country out of wine oblivion and into wine stardom! That wine was the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc and its exuberant yet refined tropical fruit character bursting with passion fruit, lemongrass, nectarine and orange blossoms rocked the wine world and became the wine every serious wine drinker had to taste.
It didn’t take long after that for New Zealand’s winemakers to realise that their country’s geography, topography and climate (in one word “terroir”) were the perfect fit for grape varieties which were responsible for the “Old World’s” greatest wines. In a little more than 20 years, New Zealand gained the reputation for world-class Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay as well as Pinot Noir and Merlot.
Marginal climate but extremely suitable so grape growing
New Zealand has one of the coolest maritime climates in the world with the majority of vineyards situated no more than 150km from the ocean. North Island’s climate is a little warmer with plenty of hours of sunshine, due to the country’s latitude, moderate temperatures and nights cooled by sea breezes. These differences in daytime and nighttime temperatures (known as diurnal range) are ideal for achieving optimal ripeness of the grapes while retaining their natural acidity and fruitiness. The South Island is cooler. Vineyards here are located on the east side and are sheltered from strong ocean rain-bearing winds coming from the west by high mountain ranges in the centre of the island. Long hours of blinding summer sunlight (due to the hole in the ozone layer) and relatively low rainfall make this marginal climate extremely suitable to grow very successfully specific grape varieties.
Most important wine regions – North Island
New Zealand wine regions credit vineyards.om
Gisborne, at the north east side of the North Island is known for numerous tasty chardonnays, with tropical fruit flavours and high quality aromatic Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris.
Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s oldest wine region dating back to 1851 when missionaries planted vineyards to make sacramental wine. It is the second largest wine region in the country and boasts the longest sunshine hours. Gimblett Gravels is a vine growing district within Hawke’s Bay and is the warmest area of this region. Because of that it is particularly suited for growing Syrah and Bordeaux Blend varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc).
Wairarapa/Martinborough is in the southeast corner of the North Island, relatively near New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. It is a small region which is famous for its very high quality Pinot Noirs.
New Zealand vineyards credit photo Canva
Most important wine regions – South Island
Marlborough is the heart of vine growing in New Zealand and its most important wine region by far. It is home to more than 500 growers and produces nearly 80% of the wine in the country. Situated at the north-eastern tip of the South Island, it is the origin of the country’s signature Sauvignon Blancs that have high acidity, herbal and “green aromas” of grass, bell peppers, gooseberry (“cat pee”) and grapefruit. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir also perform well and high quality sparkling wines, made in the methode traditionnelle from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are also made here.
Nelson is a small but beautiful wine region west of Marlborough that makes Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Central Otago, is a small but very important wine region. It is situated near the bottom of the South Island and has the most southerly vineyards in the world (47 degrees south). These are cool climate vineyards that are surrounded by picturesque lakes and high mountains. Pinot Noir reigns supreme here with wines that give complex flavours, great acidity and resemble in elegance of those of Burgundy. In addition to Pinot Noir, excellent wines from Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Riesling and Pinot Gris are being produced here.
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blamc / photo from Globus.ch
An iconic wine from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, bursting with tropical fruit, apricot, ripe citrus and a green backbone of cut grass and sweet red pepper.
To be served with: aperitif, asparagus, soft cheeses, fish dishes of all kinds, vegetarian cuisine. Very refreshing high acidity and an extremely pleasant long finish. The vineyard was acquired by Champagne house Veuve Clicquot in 2003 and is now a LVMH brand.
Wild Rock – Sauvignon Blanc 2019 – Marlborough
Wild Rock Sauvignon Blanc credit Maria Zioga
Wild Rock Wine Company produces a range of fresh and fruity wines that reflect the wildly beautiful and very varied terroir of New Zealand regions Hawkes Bay, Martinborough and Marlborough. Pale lemon colour with light green highlights. Pronounced and very pleasant lime, passion fruit, white peach, green apple, lemongrass, pineapple, guava, mango, some floral notes and only a tiny bit of greenness with a subtle hint of gooseberry as well as subtle hint of lees contact. Very dry with refreshing high acidity, medium body and a long vibrant finish.
Peregrine Pinot Noir 2014 – Central Otago
Peregrine has been an iconic New Zealand winery producing acclaimed wines since 1998. Both winery and vineyards are located in the southernmost grape growing region in the world at latitude 45 South, in Central Otago. The stunning Peregrine Winery building has won international awards and accolades for its design and construction, which evokes the wingspan of a Peregrine (native falcon or Karearea) as it glides on thermal air rising from the heated land. The wine has a light ruby colour and tastes of tangy red berries, a distinctive earthiness, chocolate, and spices. In the mouth acidity is high yet pleasant, tannins are light and the aromas of red fruit mix wonderfully with sweet spices and wood.
Peregrine Pinot Noir credit Maria Zioga
Craggy Range Syrah, Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, Hawke’s Bay 2016
Produced from the gravelly soils of the Gimblett Gravels, a cool climate Syrah with an extraordinary spicy nose. Deep, bold purple/red colour with powerful sweet oak and spicy aromas as well as black forest fruit and ripe plums. In the mouth nutmeg, mixed spices, ripe blackberries and dark plums, full body with firm tannins and a long lasting finish.
Craggy Range Syrah credit Maria Zioga
Chardonnay Nelson 2017 – Blackenbrook
Blackenbrook is a small family winery in Nelson. They grow and vilify 7 grape varieties. Their Chardonnay is truly exceptional. Tropical fruit aromas of pineapple, sweet mango, sponge cake and sweet spice due to the wood maturation captivate the nose. Long and very pleasant finish.
About the author:
Maria was born in Greece but spent most of her life living abroad. She studied Political Science and Media and Communication at the London School of Economics and worked alongside the Greek Minister of Finance for 3 years. However, it was wine that captured her heart and became her passion. She is passionate about making wine accessible to everyone and loves teaching about it through fun yet informative seminars. She holds the WSET Level 3 certification and will be starting the WSET Diploma soon. In April 2019, she founded the Geneva Wine Society. She organises wine tastings and wine events in Geneva as well as online. Maria has lived and worked in various countries over the past 20 years and is a proud mom of a very active 3 year old boy.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/genevawinesoc
Instagram: www.instagram.com/vinum_lore_ & www.instagram.com/genevawineso
