While the making of wine in new Zealand dates back to the early settlers, the foundations for today's modern wine industry were laid early in the 20th century. After World War II when many New Zealand Servicemen returned from Europe with a keen interest in European wine , the Industry began to pick up. The industry stormed on to the world stage with the mind blowing aromatics of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and growth was rapid.
Location
New Zealand lies in the Pacific ocean separated from Australia by the Tasman Sea. New Zealand lies nearly as far south in degrees latitude as Germany does to the North. All the wineries in New Zealand are no more than 70 miles from the sea which has an enormous influence on the style of wine produced
Climate
New Zealand has a maritime climate with cold winters and hot summers which is ideal for the production of Light wines. Frequent rainfall is the villain of the New Zealand climate. Frost can be a problem but is very occasional. No point in New Zealand is more than 70 miles from the sea which has an enormous influence on the style of wine produced.
Soil
The soil is generally poor, ranging from heavy clay in Auckland to stony soils in Marlborough. It is a well known fact that the harder the vine has to work to survive, the better the quality of the grapes it produces.
Grapes
New Zealand's strength is in the variety of styles of wine it produces. They are all marked by a subtlety and elegance which is hard to achieve in the hotter regions of the New World. Apart from Sauvignon Blanc, it produces some fine chardonnay's some oaked and some unoaked. Riesling , both dry and the late harvested style can be stunning and luscious. New Zealand also succeeds with Pinot Noir to capture the finesse and delicate flavours. Cabernet Sauvignon is the 2nd most heavily planted vine and many winemakers are now blending it with Merlot The styles are diverse due to regional differences, vintage variations and wine making philosophy.
Wine Regions
Gisborne
The east coast North Island region based on the town of the same name is beginning to shake off its name as a producer of bulk wines. Gisborne's winemakers include the big two Companies of Montana and Corbans who jointly produce about 80 per cent of the country's wine. Gewurztraminer is one of Gisborne's claim to fame. Most of the grapes are grown by farmers who sell their grapes to wineries under long term contract. Large quantities of premium bottled table wines are produced here which are characterised by intense fruit flavours, zesty acidity and pungent aromatics.Hawke's Bay
Situated on the east coast of the North Island is one of New Zealand's older wine regions and certainly one of the best. It frequently records the country's highest sunshine hours. Most of its vineyards are planted on flat land. Chardonnay is the most important white vine variety grown while the best Hawk's Bay reds are made from the Cabernet Sauvignon . The reds have intense berry and cassis flavours and often benefit from maturation in French Oak Barriques. Hawke's Bay sauvignon is a softer fleshier style of wine that the better known Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
West Auckland
Until the 1970's, West Auckland symbolised the New Zealand wines. Their small informal vineyards, run by generations of Yugoslav and Lebanese wine makers produced mainly sherry and port style wines. Now with the demand for premium wine, radical changes have been made both in the vineyards and in the wineries. The volcanic ash soil of the region seems to add a complexity to its wines. New Vineyards are been planted and new wineries have been established with lots of experimentation taking place with new grape varieties. The area has quickly gained a reputation as a producer of fine wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir to Riesling and Chenin Blanc.
Waikato Te Kauwhata
Approximately 75 kilometres south of Auckland, the Waikato Te Kauwhata has been the centre of wine research for many years. Nearby is situated the vineyards and modern winery of the Cook's Estate.
Wairarapa
The Wairarapa which includes the Martinborough region is at the southern end of the North island, approx 1 hours drive from the nations capital Wellington. Both Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon perform well in this region.
Marlborough
Situated on the South Island Marlborough is the biggest of New Zealand's wine regions. The regions long dry summers and cool autumns makes it an ideal place to grow Northern European grape varieties. Sauvignon Blanc is Marlborough's best known and most widely planted grape variety. Industry Giant MONTANA who dominates the New Zealand wine Industry planted the first vines in Marlborough. When it established the South Islands first commercial vineyard in 1973. At the time it seemed an enormous gamble, but after the vines reached full production, and returned a handsome dividend, other producer soon followed and established wineries in the region. The single wine that put Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc on the world map was Cloudy Bay in 1985.
