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Harvest in New
Zealand typically is from March through the end of April depending on the
varietal (Muller Thurgau being first to ripen and Cabernet Sauvignon the
last). Harvest is also determined by the location of the vineyard, with
the northern vineyards ripening slightly ahead of their southern neighbors.
New Zealand has the distinction of having both the most easterly vineyards (
being closest to the International Date Line) in the
Gisborne
region, and the most southern vineyards in the world, located in the
Otago
region.
In recent years New Zealand wines have consistently won awards at
international competitions, with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and
Cabernet/Merlot leading the way.
Varietal Characteristics are affected by the subtle climatic
changes from north to south. In the northern Auckland
area Chardonnay's are softer with aromas of fig, while Gisborne tends to lend tropical flavors and aromas of papaya and melon.
Hawkes
Bay produces a wine with aroma and flavor similar to ripe
grapefruit. Sauvignon Blanc has become the wine that
New Zealand is known for, especially those from the Marlborough
region, with flavors of gooseberry and slightly smoky with the tangy flavors
of passion fruit and papaya and a hint of herbs. Another white
that does well in New Zealand is Riesling. It success
has been mainly in the cooler South
Island where they produce wines of full fruit and fragrant flower
with touches of apricots, peaches, limes and apples. Merlot
though typically used as a blending wine with Cabernet Sauvignon has in recent
years come into its own. With raspberry flavors, softness and a pretty
fragrance and chocolate texture it is increasing in popularity. Cabernet
Sauvignon, mostly grown in the North
Island areas of Hawkes
Bay and around Auckland,
features flavors and aromas of blackberries, currants and plum with hints of
vanilla oak. Pinot Noir is mainly grown in the South
Island however the Martinborough
region of the North
Island seems to have the ideal growing conditions for this
difficult to grow grape. With hints of mushroom and flavors of black cherries
and raspberries this varietal is widely used for sparkling wines.
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The Wine Guide
