New Zealand Wine – punching above its weight for a small island
Boasting some of the most distinctive in the world New Zealand punches above its weight when it comes to wine, making this small, isolated country one to watch. New Zealand also hits the spot when it comes to meeting the growing demand for knowing the origin of the products we consume and ensuring that what we consumer is clean and green. Due to Kiwi ingenuity and an innovative approach vineyard practices in New Zealand deliver the best quality in a way that is sustainable and protects the unique New Zealand environment. It is this unique and diverse environment that gives our wine an exciting and dynamic edge. New Zealand is a place of contrasts, from dense native forest to dramatic coastlines to snow-capped mountains. This mean as that the grapes are grown in a vast range of climates and soil types resulting in a plethora of unique styles to experience. However, it was only until about 30 years ago that New Zealand started to seriously compete on the global wine market and this was due to the release of David Hohen’s first vintage of Cloudy Bay. With its alluring name and fresh, vibrant fruity flavours Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc put New Zealand winemaking on the map and set a new standard for New World Sauvignon Blanc. Cloudy Bay remains a firm favourite as the Marlborough Sauvignon category evolves. Some new and interesting arrivals on the scene are Te Koko from Cloudy Bay which is a mature wine that is fully bodied and Seresin Estate that uses organic and biodynamic technique to produce optimal vines. Find out more about the best New Zealand wines on offer in our articles and reviews below.