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The Wines of New Zealand
Along with hobbits, Kiwis, glaciers, sailing, and extremely diverse geography, New Zealand has become known for its award-winning wines. Vineyard tours, wine tasting, and special events attract an international audience of wine connoisseurs. There are over ten main wine-growing regions scattered around the islands, each with geographic and weather conditions that favor particular grapes. Here is a brief introduction to three of our favorites.
Martinborough
As well as being a town, it is also the oldest and best-known wine area within the Wairarapa region, on the southern section of the North Island. If you enjoy wine, you’ll find that Martinborough vintages have excellent concentration, texture and depth. Pinot Noir is the region’s most planted and understandably its most acclaimed grape variety, but be sure to sample the Sauvignon Blanc, which is highly regarded and a consistent award winner.
Toast Martinborough Wine, Food & Music Festival, an annual event held on the third Sunday in November, attracts wine and food lovers from around the world. You move from vineyard to vineyard via free shuttle buses or on foot, enjoying wines, delicious foods and lively entertainment.
Marlborough
When the first Marlborough vines were planted in 1973 few people expected that the region would become New Zealand’s largest and best-known, wine-growing area in little more than 20 years. From the first pressings, the region’s wines captured the imagination of the country’s winemakers and wine drinkers alike and sparked an unparalleled growth in vineyard development. Worldwide interest in Marlborough wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, has continued to fuel that regional wine boom. Just a sip reveals the distinctive pungency and zesty fruit flavors for which Marlborough is now famous. Sauvignon Blanc is the most planted grape variety, with Chardonnay in second place, followed by Pinot Noir and Riesling. Sauvignon Blanc may be the star, but Marlborough’s Méthode Traditionelle sparkling wines are also a delicious addition to a celebration.
If you plan to be in New Zealand in February, the BMW Wine Marlborough Festival is well worth a leisurely detour. It features over 200 wines from more than 40 wineries as well as gourmet food and soothing jazz.
Hawke’s Bay
Hawke’s Bay is the country’s second largest region and has a respected 100-year heritage in winemaking. There are 22 categories of soil types on the Heretaunga Plains alone, from stones to hard pans to heavy silts. The varied topography and wide range of soil types produce a number of wine styles in this region. Bright, flavorful Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape variety, but the long sunshine hours are also ideal for later-ripening red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, as well as the early-ripening Pinot Noir.
Harvest Hawke’s Bay is a festival of wine tastings and tours, concerts and culinary delights, wine and food workshops and entertainment and art throughout the region. Held the first weekend in February, this three-day event includes visits to 27 wineries for delectable entertainment, complimentary wine tasting and gourmet food workshops.
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