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.