New Zealand, like
Australia, has its own world-renowned wine industry. With the combination of good soil, climate and fresh water, New Zealanders have developed a quality of wines that are well worth trying. One of country’s top drops is
Sauvignon Blanc. The growing recognition for
New Zealand Chardonnay,
Pinot Noir, “
Methode Traditionelle”
sparkling wines,
Riesling,
Cabernet Sauvignon and
Merlot blends is helping to keep the country’s top position as a producer of
world-class wines. With many of the vineyards being in coastal areas, this has its very own influence on the taste of the wines; the vines get strong winds and clear sunlight during the day, but at night they enjoy the cold sea breezes. Because of this climate there is a long, slow ripening process which ends up producing the vibrant variety of flavors that make
New Zealand wine so distinctive. There are ten major wine growing regions spanning latitudes from 36° to 45° South and extending over some 1,600 km. They are, from north to south Northland,
Auckland, Waikato / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury and Central Otago.