New Zealand Wine is famed for Sauvignon Blanc.
The New Zealand Wine Sauvignon Blanc style can be like those wineries in the southerly part of Marlborough that have that fresh cut grass aroma and melon with a lime or grape-fruity taste or the New Zealand wine that have the aroma of a green bell pepper and passion fruit flavors of the North Island wineries.
The New Zealand wine, Sauvignon Blanc is mainly cold fermented in stainless steel tanks which gives it that Marlborough zing. Some others are produced using oak which adds some complexity.
If the New Zealand wine is stainless steel fermented drink immediately, if oak was used it ages nice for 1 to 3 years.
Other New Zealand Wine produced:
New Zealand wine is not just Sauvignon Blanc but also Chardonnay,Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon Blended Reds, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. The wines differ as much as the New Zealand wine landscape does. No two wineries taste the same because of the different climate and soil found in the New Zealand wine producing areas.
New Zealand Wine Desions
Chardonnay is known to be balanced, with good concentrated citrus fruit. The New Zealand wine ares on the South Island produces lighter bodied wine with more acidity and fresh citrus flavor. The North Island produces a full to medium bodied wine with round, rich flavors.
Gewurztraminer is know for its fragrant, flowery, ginger characteristics. Little on sweet side.
Pinot Gris has notes of apple, pear with gentle acidity and marked fruitiness.
Reisling is a dry version with spice, flowers and a little bit of lime. Fruit and acid balance nicely.
Merlot and Cabernet Blends. This has the power of the Cabernet grape meeting the softness of the Merlot. Wine can be drank young but improves nicely with age. (2-5 years)
Syrah is a complex,spicy wine that is fresh and food friendly with elegant tannin.
Pinot Noir have fine firm tannins and elegance with intense berry like fruit. The New Zealand wine areas Pinot Noir are better with 2 – years age on it. If you are like me and do not have the aging time then use awine aerator. Works wonderfully.
New Zealand Wine Food Pairing:
Chardonnay; Goes well with fish, seafood, shellfish, pasta with cream and garlic, chicken, cheese and salads.
Gewurztraminer; Pairs well with fish, seafood, shellfish, pork or ham, salad, raw vegetables, and spicy food.
Pinot Gris; Pairs well with fish, seafood, shellfish, roasted pork, pasta with cream and garlic, chicken dishes.
Dry Reisling; Perfect for Asian cuisine, pasta, garlic, chicken, light cheeses and salad with vinaigrette.
Sauvignon Blanc; Goes well with fish, seafood and shellfish. I also like it with salads and raw vegetables.
Merlot and Cabernet Blend goes wonderfully with pungent cheeses, game birds, red meats, garlic and tomato dishes.
Syrah can stand up to a lot of food. Wild game, pasta, red meat, venison, cream, tomato and garlic dishes.
Pinot Noir flatters the flavors of turkey with cranberry sauce. Game birds, pork and ham, cream, garlic, medium bodied cheese and tomato dishes.
For the Wine Beginner the easy way to learn more about New Zealand wine is to go to their website.www.nzwine.com and click on the “OUR STORY” button. I suggest you pour a nice glass of New Zealand wine first. Explore the site as it is very informative.