Wines of New Zealand

Wines of New Zealand are known for its taste, flavor and quality. For any plantation to be successful, climate plays a prime role. The climate of New Zealand greatly influences the wine production. New Zealand wine is produced in various regions of the state sparing to latitude of 36° to 45° south and spreading across 1,600 km. The wines of New Zealand are produced mainly in 10 major wine growing regions. They are, from north to south Northland, Auckland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury/Waipara and Central Otago.

Making and growing wines in New Zealand dates back to the colonial period. The oldest vineyard in New Zealand was established in 1836 in Waitangi. Wine making and vine growing go back to colonial times in New Zealand.

Wine was never of economic importance in New Zealand until 20th century, when Dalmatian immigrants arrived with viticulture knowledge and planted vineyards in North and West Auckland.

New Zealand practiced the 6’o clock institution of opening the pubs for one hour in the evening. But by the end of 1960 this saw an end. By late 1960s and early 1970s there was a tremendous change in culture with overseas exposure.

The common wine varieties in New Zealand are Cabernet , Merlot , Zinfandel , Syrah ,  Pinot Noir , Chardonnay ,  Sauvignon Blanc.

Pinot Noir: This is one of the wine varieties having a greater importance in New Zealand.  This grape variety did not flourish well during the early days as the annual sunshine in New Zealand is low. But later in 1984 it grew well in Canterbury region and that was branded as the natural home for Pinot Noir. Later Martinborough on the southern end of the North Island also excelled in this grape variety. The Wine industry of New Zealand is a hit in the international market.

To meet the increasing wine demand, the country’s vineyard plantings have grown three fold in the past couple of years.  The initial focus for export was UK, which later extended globally. There was a sliding increase of 81% export to United States from the year 2004 to 2005, of which more than two-thirds was Sauvignon Blanc, still the country's undisputed flagship wine.

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