A Guide to Wine Tasting in New Zealand
“New Zealand isn’t just a place for thrill-seekers. Over the past 30 years, New Zealand has been earning its place as a tastemaker in the wine world”, writes Jenn Brown for The Huffington Post.
There are ten wine-producing regions in New Zealand – all with different climate and soil types. The Huffington Post article guide to NZ wine collates “some of the tastiest vintages in the country”.
One of the must-sees for wine lovers is Auckland’s Waiheke Island – “a charming, beachy community” only a 30-minute ferry ride away from downtown Auckland.
1. Mudbrick offers amazing wines, stunning views across the Hauraki Gulf and tasty nibbles and platters that “pair perfectly with their array of wines”.
2. Te Motu is a great spot to spend some relaxed hours with good wine and adventurous food.
3. Casita Miro is a pretty vineyard that “pays homage to the Spanish artist Miró, with mosaic tiling reminiscent of his style found all over the grounds”.
4. Obsidian is a no-frills vineyard with an “experimental approach to varieties”. “Their 2012 Tempranillo and 2010 Cab blend will knock your socks off” according to the article.
Another region famous for its wines is Nelson, Marlborough, which is located at the northern end of the South Island.
1. Hunters and The Hunter family are being credited for “putting the Marlborough region on the map” and have an impressive selection of whites”.
2. Cloudy Bay is arguably the most recognizable brand of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
3. Forrest vineyard has very knowledgeable staff, who will explain the entire wine making process to you if you wish and there is no shortage of tasting option.
Queenstown, Central Otago is the third region listed in the wine guide and is described as “a charming town with great restaurants, a beautiful glacier-fed lake backed by the craggy Remarkables mountain range, and delicious Pinot Noir”.
1. Chard Farm makes some of the juiciest Pinot Noirs in the area and the drive to the vineyard is pure New Zealand with its “road carved into the mountainside, falling steeply to a fluorescent blue river”.
2. Mount Difficulty is the perfect place to stop for one of their tasty meat and cheese platters and to enjoy the stunning view over several other vineyards in the Central Otago Valley.
3. Peregrine’s huge barrel room behind the tasting counter is impressive and there are several varieties worth tasting.
Article Source: Huffington Post, Jenn Brown, October 06, 2015.
Image Source: Wikipedia
