New Zealand is a remote Pacific Ocean island nation located two thousand kilometers (1,300 miles) southeast of Australia. New Zealand has ten major wine-growing regions spread across the North and South Islands, the most important of which is Marlborough. For much of the 20th century, the majority of the country’s vineyards were concentrated on the east coast of the North Island, and most wines were produced solely for local consumption. It wasn’t until the 1970s that vineyard areas started to develop and New Zealand wines started to be exported.
While New Zealand produces a wide range of wines, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is by far the most well-known worldwide. The grape accounts for approximately 60% of all plantings in the country and approximately 85% of New Zealand’s wine exports.
Popular Wine Regions and Grape Varieties in New Zealand
Best known for its aromatic Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs with aromas ranging from passion fruit to gooseberries and grass is a small wine-producing country that also produces a variety of critically acclaimed cool-climate wines, ranging from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Bordeaux blends and Syrah.
Marlborough
The Marlborough wine region is New Zealand’s largest wine region, with 23,000 ha of vines and 305,467 tons of grapes produced. It also put New Zealand on the international wine stage in the 1980s with its inimitable Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough wineries offer a plethora of varietiesvarietals ranging from elegant Pinot Noir to intense Chardonnay and vibrant Aromatics.
Sauvignon Blanc accounts for more than 80% of vineyard surface area and more than 85% of regional output. The dominance of Sauvignon Blanc in this region is market-driven; many other grape varieties also do well. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling are the most common white wine grapes.
In recent years, the region’s first Pinot Noir vines have matured and are now producing first-rate wines. The wines are lighter and more fruity than those from Otago and Martinborough. The region has approximately 2650ha (6550 acres) of Pinot Noir vines. Syrah and Tempranillo are two of the more prominent red grapes in the supporting cast, though their volumes are much smaller.
Marlborough is also a significant producer of high-quality sparkling wine made in the traditional method of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. “Méthode Marlborough” is a grower-led organization dedicated to the promotion of such styles.
