Well known for their innovation and modern winemaking techniques such as the widespread use of screw cap enclosures rather than corks
Was not well known as a wine producing region until the mid 1980’s when a vineyard in the Marlborough/Central Otago appellations name Cloudy Bay began producing a new kind of Sauvignon Blancs that the world had never seen before. These wines are green, tropical, with no oak influence and put New Zealand on the map as a major wine region
Made up of two large islands called North Island and South Island
Top Regions
North Island
The most important districts are Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Auckland, and Wairarapa / Martinborough (not to be confused with Marlborough of South Island. To help you remember which is which think “T” in Martinborough for top meaning North Island and “L” in Marlborough for lower meaning South Island)
South Island
Best known for Marlborough which is the top district of the country
Marlborough produces 70 percent of New Zealand wines and 80 percent of the country’s Sauv Blancs
Other important districts include Nelson, Canterbury, and Central Otago best known for their Pinot Noirs
Quality Standards
Uses a GI system similar to Australia’s
Minimum 85 percent of the grapes must be the variety stated on the label
Minimum 85 percent of the grapes must be from the vintage stated
Minimum 85 percent of the grapes must be from the region stated
