Love Thy New Zealand Wine

May 29, 2018

While wine production is still comparatively small from New Zealand on a global scale, the island nation is proving itself no longer just a bit player in global wine.

New Zealand has 10 major wine-producing areas including Auckland, Gisborne, Wairarapa (Martinborough) and Hawke’s Bay in the North Island, and Marlborough, Central Otago, Canterbury in the South Island. Wine varieties produced across New Zealand include: sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, cabernet, chardonnay and pinot gris.

Global brand manager for Matua, Adam Prentice explains that a shift in taste preferences has been a contributing factor to New Zealand wine’s success; “Over the past 10 years, we have observed a big change in taste preferences (both in food and wine) to cleaner, fresher and lighter styles. This has fuelled significant growth opportunities for NZ sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. At the same time, our attention to quality and consistency has improved considerably.”

So what is it that sets New Zealand wine apart from wines produced in other parts of the world?

Brand manager for Yealands Estate Wines, Debbie Jones suggests that extended growing seasons and unique environmental factors are the key; “New Zealand has an extended growing seasons in a pristine environment, allowing grapes to develop flavour over a long period of time.”

Villa Maria’s senior Auckland winemaker, Nick Picone expanded on his insight, explaining that it comes down to freshness of fruit – an intensity of pure fruit he describes as “unmatched elsewhere.”

Picone states that the freshness and intense fruit influence that charatcterises wines from New Zealand is due to a combination of factors including the unique geography, climate and soils that exist on the islands; “New Zealand wines are food wines, possessing the appropriate acidity, alcohol and weight of flavour to combine with, as opposed to clashing with, the flavours across a broad range of cuisines. New Zealand wines offer refreshment and approachability; the climate preserves the characteristics unique to the specific variety. Above all else, New Zealand wines offer quality; the quality of the ‘average’ bottle is as good if not better than found anywhere in the world.”

With a future that looks bright, New Zealand doesn’t look to be slowing down its wine production. With its focus on quality and expanding varietals, it looks like this small island nation will continue making its name as a key wine producer in the coming years.

So next time you enjoy a glass of wine, why not try New Zealand?