New Zealand has got an enormous amount to offer on the wine front. It is most wellknown for its Sauvignon Blanc coming out of the Marlboroughregion, but other regions and grapes are now becoming increasingly popular andimportant for New Zealand?swine industry.
New Zealand Sauvignon
If youlike your white wine with a zesty, aromatic edge, then New Zealand SauvignonBlanc is sure to be for you. Following in the footsteps of the French, New Zealandwine-makers started doing big things with Sauvignon Blanc in the 1980's. By the1990's it had been established as the country's flagship wine and reallystarted giving French Sancerre a run for its money. New Zealand Sauvignon is agreat match for fresh fish and seafood, as well as oily or citrus-baseddressings, and differs from classic Sancerre, which tends to have strongergreen pepper and gooseberry flavours.
Other Whites
New Zealand wine isn't solely about Sauvignon Blanc however. On the white front,you'll come across a range of styles of Chardonnay from clean, unoaked Chablisstyles through to buttery rich oaky versions. Dry Rieslings are also increasinglyproduced. These taste great drunk on their own, or with spicier dishes ordishes with a touch of sweetness to them.
New Zealand Reds
If youare a fan of red wine, you simply can't do a tasting tour of New Zealandwine without trying Pinot Noir. The cooler regions, including Marlborough and Central Otago are good places to start and make some topclass examples of this usually difficult to grow grape. Try it with a leanmeat, fish or cheese dish to get the most from it. New Zealand Cabernet Sauvignonand Merlot are also worth a taste and are grown increasingly in the warmer,Northern regions.
Diversity of Wines
Thegreat news about New Zealandwine is that there is something for everyone. There are 10 key growing regionsand each one is incredibly diverse in terms of its climate and terrain. Fromthe warmer more humid regions of the Northland to the cooler, wetter moresoutherly regions, you'll soon find that there's a style of New Zealandwine being produced to suit all tastes and preferences.
