New Zealand’s population is just a mere 4 and a half million, and their experience in producing wine dates back only 40 years. Yet, the country’s contribution to the production of wine is remarkable, so remarkable in fact, that New Zealand has become the number 2 exporter of Sauvignon Blanc in the world. New Zealand is home to 10 great wine producing regions that have combined to make New Zealand’s world passion for wine-making known worldwide.

The Lay of the Land

New Zealand is a beautiful remote island country sitting a thousand miles to the south-east of Australia. Its tall mountain peaks and lush green forests are truly a sight to behold.

Due to its long and narrow shape, most of the wine regions are close to the ocean and experience a Maritime climate. Since the majority of vineyards are in close proximity to the cool breezes of the oceans, the acidity in well preserved in most bottles of wine.

The Central Otago wine region at the south end of New Zealand is interesting as it is the most southerly wine region in the world and the only region of New Zealand that features a continental climate. And in contrast to the rest of the country, Central Otago is almost exclusively focused on creating the best Pinot Noir.

New Zealand Wine

A common theme of freshness will prevail when consuming different glasses of the countries wines. While New Zealand is now well known for its great sauvignon blanc, the country has also become a great producer of Chardonnay, Cabernet/Merlot blends, and Pinot Noir.

Sauvignon Blanc

In 1975, the first Sauvignon Blanc was first planted in Marlborough – on the North end of the South Island. With its unique combination of crispness and intense fruity and herbaceousness, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has come to be seen as some of the world’s best. It’s such a popular wine that it accounts for just over 70% of all wine production in the country and is the second largest exporter of Sauvignon Blanc in the world.

Try Some of These Authentic New Zealand Wines

New Zealand has the ability to produce wines as wonderful as its gorgeous landscapes. Unfortunately for us in Ontario, the flight from Toronto to Auckland is 14,100 kilometres and just under 20 hours long.

Fortunately, the Small Winemakers and their Toronto wine delivery service, has made great New Zealand wine is just a click of the mouse away from arriving at your doorstep.

	Appleby Lane – Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $20.70 / Bottle This Sauvignon Blanc is aromatic with characters of citrus, lime, gooseberry and herbaceous. A mouth-filling palate showing delicious gooseberry, grapefruit and citrus fruit flavours with a typical minerally edge. Rich and concentrated, the mid-palate shows a genuine breadth and the overall impression remains clean, ripe and fresh.
	Mt Difficulty – Roaring Meg Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $26.35 / Bottle While the name can suggest difficulty, this wine is a simple pleasure to drink. The warm summer growing conditions have resulted in a concentrated Sauvignon Blanc in a typical Central Otago style. The wine displays gooseberry flavours intermingled with bell pepper and freshly cut hay; this moves into a full mid-palate and then the wine finishes with lingering passionfruit and rhubarb. This wine is ideal for fun-loving, responsible summer drinking.
	Appleby Lane – Pinot Noir 2014 $122.30 / Bottle The second most produced wine in New Zealand is the Pinot Noir. This bottle featuring S]sweet red cherry, plum and dark berry fruit characters intermingling with spicy oak best showcase the country’s ability to produce great reds. This bottle from Appleby Lane features savoury, gamey flavours with hints of leather balanced with elegant tannins add complexity to this wine which delivers a long sustained finish.

Eager to try some of the different wines of the world? The Small Winemakers Collection has made it easy to have exclusive wine bottles from exclusive wine regions such as New Zealand, Italy, Greece, Spain, and more delivered right to your door. Try our Toronto wine delivery service today and expand your wine collection.