Overview

When people think of New Zealands wine, they tend to conflate it with Australias. Nothing could be further from the truth. Winemaking in New Zealand developed at a much slower pace than in its western neighbor, and New Zealand still produces only a tiny fraction of what the giant Australia can muster. But all that began to change in the 1970s, and New Zealands wine industry has absolutely exploded in the last fifteen years. Today New Zealand exports two thirds of its wine and is quickly making a name for itself on the world scene. In particular, its Sauvignon Blanc has garnered international recognition for its grassy and herbal aromas and its grapefruit tang. Gone are the days when New Zealand and Australia are lumped together into a single wine region. Today New Zealands premier wines can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of France or California.