The best wines from New Zealand
February 24th, 2010 | Published in Wine
New Zealand wines have gained increasing popularity over the last ten to twelve years. Its pure landscape and well-developed agricultural economy have facilitated grape-growers and wine-makers to protect the quality of their wine production and produce some of the best wines globally.
New Zealand has eight main growing regions, namely Auckland, Canterbury, Central Otago, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, and Wairarapa, each demonstrating a great diversity in climate and terrain. This special mix of soil, climate and water, but also the commitment to quality can deliver to your table one of the most intense wine-drinking experiences.
New Zealand wines have gained international acclaim. New Zealand Cabernet Sauvignon and New Zealand Merlot are two varieties that contribute to the further positioning of New Zealand as a global player of world-class wines on the international wine map. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is globally acclaimed as the definitive benchmark style for this variety. New Zealand Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling are globally acknowledged for their excellent varieties.
> New Zealand Cabernet Sauvignon
New Zealand Cabernet Sauvignon is a top-notch quality wine, particularly in the warmer Northern wine regions. Hawkes Bay and Auckland with their warm gravel soils produce one of the best Cabernet Sauvignon qualities globally. Deeply flavored, powerfully structured and long aged, New Zealand Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant, richly mellow wine for drinking at three to five years.
> New Zealand Merlot
New Zealand has an enormous potential for Merlot. During the lengthy ripening season in the cool climate, Merlot develops its flavors and concentrates its aromas. In the past, Merlot was produced as a blending variety with Cabernet Sauvignon because it has the ability to soften the hard tannins of Cabernet. Over time, Merlot has developed into a premium variety of enticing richness, producing soft, velvety wines with plum flavors. In majority, New Zealand Merlot is grown in Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and Marlborough.
> New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc introduced New Zealand as a global player on the international wine map. Being globally acclaimed as the definitive benchmark style for this variety, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is full of delicate passion fruit aromas, seductive gooseberries aromas, surprising lime scents or crispy green asparagus spears. Mostly grown in Marlborough region, New Zealand Sauvignons display an entirely new wine style evoking the spicy flavors of New Zealand style.
> New Zealand Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the next big New Zealand wine style to gain popularity on the international stage because of its excellent quality. Mostly grown in Wairarapa, Central Otago and Canterbury, Pinot Noir yields a deep-colored variety with a velvety soft, yet strong taste. The fruity flavors of Pinot Noir evoke the aromas of cherries, sweet strawberries, raspberries, or plums.
> New Zealand Chardonnay
New Zealand Chardonnay is a highly diversified wine comprising countless of varieties, capable of appealing to a wide range of tastes. Its complex, fruit-laden nature has driven it into a premium variety that distinctively performs on the worldwide stage. Fully bodied and fruity flavored, New Zealand Chardonnays may evoke the aromas of crispy apples and lemons or the flavors of peaches and apricots of very ripe grapes. Grown in the warmer regions of Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Nelson and Marlborough, New Zealand Chardonnays are easy to drink, although quite acidy.
> New Zealand Aromatic Grape Varieties
New Zealand has an ideal climate for the making of aromatic wines. New Zealand Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris are unique examples of world-class aromatic varieties that become increasingly popular worldwide.
New Zealand Rieslings are produced in a wide variety of styles, from bone dry, to late harvest style sweet wines, covering all tastes. They have a citrus flavor, rather acidy, but they naturally evoke the smell of honeysuckle when mature.
New Zealand Gewürztraminer has an exciting, intense character evoking the aromas of cinnamon, cloves and ginger, leaving a spicy taste in the mouth. Gewürztraminer is mostly grown in Gisborne.
New Zealand Pinot Gris is actually an exceptional Chardonnay substitute. Offering the earthy flavors of apple and pear, Pinot Gris can be a great alternative to the premium profile dry whites. Grown mostly in Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and Central Otago, Pinot Gris is expected to be one of the next big shots of New Zealand’s wine makers.
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