New Zealand
New Zealand produces less than 1% of the world’s wine, yet offers an impressive array of varieties and styles. Sauvignon Blanc first put New Zealand on the wine map, however the diversity of wine styles has ensured the love affair with New Zealand wine continues.
New Zealand is a country of contrasts with dense, native forest, snow-capped mountains and expansive coastline. With wine growing regions spanning the latitudes of 36 to 45 degrees and covering the length of 1000 miles (1,600 kilometres), grapes are grown in a vast range of climates and soil types, producing a diverse array of styles; from the warmer climate wines, such as Bordeaux-style blends and Syrah, grown in Hawke's Bay and further north, down to the much cooler climate wines, such as Pinot Noir and Riesling grown in the southerly regions. Marlborough, in the south, has become New Zealand’s largest and best known winegrowing area in the last 20 years.