New Zealand
English missionaries were first to plant grapes on New Zealand's North Island back in the early 1800's and this is where the lion's share of the production remained until the mid 1970's when the South Island took over the reins.
The major producing part of the North Island remains around Hawkes Bay where the dry climate and variety of soils offer a palette of origins to grow good grapes. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are the mainstay grape varieties here but both Syrah and Chardonnay fare well too. In the southernmost part of the island the viticultural area of Wellington is making some excellent wines based on Pinot Noir especially around the small village of Martinborough that is favoured with climate and soils not dissimilar to those found in Burgundy. Some plantings of Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) are also doing well but in much smaller quantities.
Moving on to the south island, Marlborough has become world famous for its Sauvignon Blancs. However in the mid 1990's, vineyard expansion saw the region develop to over 4 times its size and now it is important to select carefully as not all vineyard sites are as ideal as the original ones. The Wairau and Awatere valleys are also producing some excellent Sauvignon Blanc and in both regions top class Riesling and Gewürztraminer can be found but in much smaller quantities than the highly sought-after Sauvignon.
Another little jewel in the crown of the south island is the region of Central Otago that now produces some much sought-after Pinot Noir. The wines tend to be well flavoured and fresh but thanks to the high risk of frost and the small scale production, prices tend to be high.
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£13.90Bladen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Bladen WinesThis superb Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of gooseberry, grapefruit, nettle and some floral hints. These give way to a plentifully fruited palate wit...
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£19.95Bladen Marlborough Pinot Noir
Bladen WinesBladen Marlborough Pinot Noir has aromas of ripe plum fruit supported by cherry, toasty oak spice, mocha and cedar notes. In the mouth there is an ...
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£10.50The Doctors' Sauvignon Blanc
ForrestThe Doctors' Sauvignon Blanc is a classic New Zealand style that leaps from the glass with red capsicum, passionfruit and fresh herb aromas. It’s f...
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£11.95The Doctors' Riesling
ForrestWow! Tasting The Doctors' Riesling is like biting into a deliciously crisp Granny Smith apple, licking lime sherbet and eating your first Central O...
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£9.90Bascand Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Bascand EstateBascand Estate Sauvignon Blanc is estate-grown at Rapaura, in the Wairau Valley. Bright and fresh with hints of tropical fruit, citrus and nettle. ...
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£13.60Tin Cottage Sauvignon Blanc by Bladen Wines
Bladen WinesThis superb NZ Sauvignon has a bright, pale straw yellow colour with tinges of green. The nose is tight at first then it opens to generous helping...
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£12.50The Doctors' Rosé
ForrestWhat an explosion of flavour. Fresh strawberries and ripe red cherry, with just a hint of aromatic sage and thyme herbal aromas. The wine is so fre...
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£14.95Bladen Marlborough Riesling
Bladen WinesThis exceptional Riesling from Bladen Wines in Marlborough has a delightful straw yellow colour with green tinges and a bright clarity. The nose is...
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£17.50Bladen Marlborough Gewurztraminer
Bladen WinesThis off-dry Gewurztraminer is an exceptional food wine especially for Asian dishes. Bladen Gewurztraminer is a masterpiece of wine making and they...
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£14.50Bascand Estate Pinot Noir
Bascand EstateBascand Estate Pinot Noir is characterised by a purity of fruit aromas, ripe tannins and intelligent use of French oak. It's light and easy with st...
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£41.75Wooing Tree Pinot Noir
Wooing Tree VineyardWooing Tree Pinot Noir is produced from ripe, hand picked fruit, gentle winemaking and maturation in French oak have resulted in a complex and powe...
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£17.90Stanley Estates Noble Harvest Sauvignon Blanc - half bottle
Stanley EstatesStanley Estates Noble Harvest Sauvignon Blanc is a ripe, sweet dessert wine with a sumptuous palate of citrus blossom, marmalade and honey, hazelnu...
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£18.15Waipara Springs Premo Chardonnay
Waipara SpringsWaipara Springs Premo Chardonnay shows complex, smokey aromas of lemon, grapefruit, hazelnuts and freshly baked bread, together with rich aromas of...
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£32.85Kiwa By Escarpment
EscarpmentKiwa By Escarpment has a lot happening on the nose: rich, black fruits, fleshy mulberry - a lovely complex mix. The mid-palate richness is underpin...
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£72.35Wooing Tree Sandstorm Reserve Pinot Noir
Wooing Tree VineyardWooing Tree Sandstorm Reserve Pinot Noir is made from especially low yielding, ripe, handpicked fruit. Gentle winemaking and extended maturation in...
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£15.95Stanley Estates Sauvignon Blanc
Stanley EstatesStanley Estates Sauvignon Blanc is a most aromatic wine, full of lush flavours of gooseberries, tomato leaves and green capsicums. It has ripe, zes...
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£28.55Wooing Tree Chardonnay
Wooing Tree VineyardWooing Tree Chardonnay is made from grapes grown in a single vineyard. Ripe, handpicked grapes and barrel fermentation have given a wonderfully bal...
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