New Zealand produces top quality wines from many varieties, but only the Sauvignon Blanc resides in a class of its own.  While the origin of the grape lies thousands of miles away in the Loire Valley of France, there can be no doubt that the New Zealand grape holds a distinction from any other Sauvignon Blanc variety worldwide.  The combination of climate and soil intertwine in such a manner so as to produce the classic racy and acid fueled refreshing white exhibiting tart citrus flavors of apple, lime and gooseberry along with wet stone, freshly cut grass and herbs.  These wines offer a refreshing counterbalance to the heat of the Tucson summer, a perfect match with salads and shellfish.  Fortunately for Tucsonans, most of these wines are produced in large quantities and easily accessible at very affordable prices.  Our Wine Finder segment is filled with these wines and other New Zealand varieties at various locations around Tucson.

The islands of New Zealand are located in a somewhat remote region of the southern hemisphere, 1250 miles southeast of Australia and some 6700 miles from Tucson.  Comprised of a North and South Island stretching over 1000 miles between 36 and 45 degrees south latitude, the land area approximates that of Japan or Italy.  The South Island is the largest, driest and coolest of the two, sporting the Southern Alps, the highest snow covered peak reaching over 12,000 feet.  The North Island while a bit less mountainous, does have to its name an active volcano. 

The climate tends to be temperate in nature due to its isolation from both continental influences and exposure to cold southerly winds and oceanic currents and approximates the climate of Bordeaux but with substantially higher rainfall.  It’s rare to see temperatures dip much below the freezing mark nor above 90 F.   With rich soils based of clay and loam, often sandy and gravelly with schist loess over gravel in some regions and volcanic subsoils in others, it’s not so surprising that the country’s lead export is agriculture.  It is in this context that the geography and weather blend in perfect harmony to produce an ideal setting for the production of grapes.  With this recognition, improved cultivation practices and the support of corporate enterprises, the number of wineries has expanded from 100 in the 1980’s to nearly 500 at present.

Sauvignon Blanc, the country’s star grape variety, comprises nearly 40% of New Zealand’s 60,000 acres of vineyards.  Most of the best wines from the grape derive from Marlborough, located on the northeast tip of the South Island.  These wines integrate the classic crisp, acidic, and mineral structure with aromas of lime, grapefruit, grass, herbs and wet stone.  Some wines, especially in a warmer year, will reveal more tropical fruit aromas and flavors such as peach, apricot, guava or passion fruit.  Most Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures in order to preserve the grape’s natural crisp and vibrant character.  However, a few estates are fermenting a portion of the grapes in oak barrels adding a little more warmth to the wine along with greater longevity. If the grapes are more ripe, this will add some tropical notes to the wine as well. 

When purchasing a Sauvignon Blanc, it is especially important to go with a more recent vintage wine.  In time, the herbal and “green” character will become more pronounced, potentially overtaking the fresh citrus fruit.  Thus while an $11.99 2006 may seem like a good deal, you are better off looking for the younger and fresher 2008, even at a slightly higher price.  The 2007 growing year was cooler yielding wines with more citrus and herbal notes.  The 2008 season likely will offer mixed quality wines.  While the growing season overall was good attended by warm weather and adequate rainfall, harvest rains forced many vineyard managers to pick rapidly before botrytis set in.  Those that were successful, should produce very nice wines with more tropical characteristics.

While Sauvignon Blanc is the established star of the island, the Pinot Noir is the up and coming adolescent, sparking a lot of attention.  Most of us are accustomed to thinking of Burgundy, northern California or Oregon when it comes to Pinot Noir.  But New Zealand is producing ever improving quality of this varietal, characterized by bright acidity and tight tannins along with vibrant cherry and berry along with spice; more in the style of Burgundy than California.  Nearly all of the wines derive from Otago, Martinborough and Marlborough, the former tending to yield the more structured wines.

While Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir dominate the press, don’t overlook the other varietals, some of which produce excellent wines.  The Chardonnays from the cooler Marlborough region on the South Island tend to be vibrant and citrusy while those from the warmer Hawkes Bay on the North Island are richer and a bit more tropical.  Additional varieties include Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer.

Key Wine Growing Appellations:

North Island

Auckland:  While possessing only 3% of the country’s vineyards today, it remains the traditional home for the wine industry due to housing the corporate offices of the largest wine companies.  The results are that the region contains more wineries than any other region.  Auckland’s wine districts are known to produce some the country’s best wines including Bordeaux style reds blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot and Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.  Wineries to look for are Kumeu River (Chardonnay, Pinot Gris), Babich (producing entry level wines), Goldwater Estate (producing a wonderful Cabernet-Merlot blend) and Nobilo (2nd largest wine producer in NZ and plentifully available in Tucson),

East Coast:  This region produces some 90% of the country’s vines and straddles the east coast of both the North and South Island.  It is utilized by high volume brand names and incorporates most of the grape varieties grown.

Gisborne: Mostly a white wine growing region with Chardonnay being the primary grape.  Known for producing bulk wines of average quality.

Hawkes Bay: While Chardonnay and Merlot are the two most important grape varieties from this region, the diversity of soil compositions lends itself, potentially, to a variety of grapes.  Keep an eye peeled for Syrahs.  Bordeaux style blends are produced in sub-regions of Hawkes Bay and growers are hopeful that they may be able to establish a reputation for Burgundy in the future as well.  This region sports two very high profile stars both known for their quality and diversity in varietals, Craggy Range and Kim Crawford (found in nearly every wine retail store in Tucson).  Others to watch for are Blake Family Vineyard (I have not found this in Tucson),

Wellington:  This region encompasses Martinborough, Wellington’s most important wine district, known most notably for producing the North Island’s best Sauvignon Blanc.  Not to be a one varietal region, Martinborough produces wonderful Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and probably the New Zealand’s best Riesling.  Producers to look for are Ata Rangi (Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir) and Escarpement (Pinot Noir),

South Island

Central Otago:  Central Otago is the fastest growing wine region in the country, having established itself as a bona fide Pinot Noir producer.  The warm days and cool nights, sometimes displaying diurnal variations of 50 degrees F, are perfect for the Pinot Noir grape.  The warm days ripen the fruit while the cool nights retain the acidity.  In addition, rainfall here is not excessive, nearly eliminating the risk of rot.  The soil is a schistous loess, attractive to the Pinot grape and drains well.  Some producers to look for are Akarua (Pinot Noir), Amisfield (Pinot Noir) and Felton Road ( producing stellar Pinot Noir & Riesling but not found in Tucson),

Marlborough:  Without question, Marlborough is New Zealand’s most notable wine region, the Sauvignon Blanc grape its shining star.  The climate with its abundant sunshine, cool nights and long growing season along with well drained soils provides a nurturing environment for the grapes that yield the classic racing acidity and bright citrus flavors.  You will also find Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.  Look for the following producers:  Brancott (owned by Montana Winery), Cairnbrae (Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc), Clifford Bay (not found in Tucson), Cloudy Bay (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling wine; well represented in Tucson), Framingham (Riesling is its strength), Huia (Sauvignon Blanc and well represented in Tucson), Hunter’s, Isabel (yielding a consistently stellar Sauvignon Blanc), Jackson Estate, Koura Bay, Lake Chalice, Lawson’s Dry Hills, Mount Riley and Nautilus.

Nelson:  This region houses a only a limited number of wineries, still living in the shadows of Marlborough.  Wineries to explore are Greenhough, Kahurangi Estate and Neudorf Vineyards.

To locate a favorite New Zealand wine, please click on to our Wine Finder New Zealand wine.

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Tags: New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Finder Value Wine