Visiting the Wine Making Regions of New Zealand
New Zealand has developed a reputation as a major player in international wine making fields, and for good reason.
The quality of cool climate wines coming out of the land of the long white cloud is exceptional.
The long days of sunshine and cool overnight temperatures mean the grapes mature slowly giving a rich, developed flavour along with vibrancy and intensity.
Both the North Island and South Island produce wine, with a total of 10 distinct wine making regions spread across both islands.
Each region has a unique climate and topography and produces different specialty wines.
The North Island has 6 regions - Northland is the oldest of the wine making regions with the first vines planted almost 100 years ago.
The area is the warmest in New Zealand and favours red grape varieties, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah but also produces bold Chardonnays.
The Auckland area has a similar climate to the Northland area so also produces similar varieties and styles of wine.
Other full bodied reds and excellent Sauvignon Blancs are also characteristic of the area.
The Waikato and Bay of Plenty area just south of Auckland focuses mainly on Chardonnays with Sauvignon Blancs and Cabernet Sauvignons also popular in the area.
The picturesque Gisborne area produces a wide range of wine varieties but is best known for its incredible Chardonnays.
A number of red varieties from this area along with Viognier, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer are also known to be of excellent quality and can be uncharacteristically drunk from an early age.
Hawke's Bay also on the North Island, is the second largest wine making Region in New Zealand and is responsible for 80% of New Zealand's annual Cabernet Merlot and Syrah production.
Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs and full bodied reds are also produced in the Hawke's Bay region.
Although the Wairarapa region is not a large wine producer, the quality of its wine is exceptional.
The region specialises in Pinot Noir but also produces a number of white varieties including Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Aromatics.
The South Island has four main wine regions, the most northern, being the Nelson region.
On a per hectare of planted vines basis, the Nelson area wins more awards than any other wine making region in New Zealand.
Superb 'stickies', bold Chardonnays and exquisite Pinot Noirs consistently come out of the area.
Nelson wines are sold worldwide and have a reputation for excellence.
The Marlborough region is easily the most recognisable of New Zealand's wine making regions and is the biggest producer of wines in the country and is recognised internationally as one of the world's premium wine growing regions.
Mainly white varietals are produced in the area along with some stunning Pinot Noirs and excellent examples of Syrah.
Canterbury is another of the South Island's wine regions mainly specialising in white wines, although again Pinot Noirs from the area are excellent.
The last of the South Island regions is Central Otago, predominantly a Pinot Noir producing region, although Rieslings, Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs and Sparklings are also successfully produced in the area.
Visiting the wineries and sampling their offerings at the Cellar door has always been a favourite pastime of food and wine connoisseurs, and the wineries of New Zealand have embraced this tradition with gusto.
Winemakers enjoy meeting and greeting at the cellar door and are happy to share their expertise to those who want to listen.
There is a large range of accommodation options throughout New Zealand and its wine making regions ranging from bed and breakfasts and cabins amongst the vineyards, to luxury hotels and budget backpackers.
Hamilton is a great base for wine tasters visiting the North Island as the accommodation in Hamilton is diverse and plentiful and Hamilton's location is central to several of the North Islands northern wine making areas.
When visiting the North Island's more southern wine regions, Palmerston North makes a good base with a good range of excellent value Palmerston North accommodation available for all styles of travellers.
In the South Island, Nelson with its eclectic arts community offers excellent Nelson accommodation options and is accessible to both the extensive group of Nelson vineyards as well as being within close driving distance to the popular Marlborough region and its many attractions.
The Central Ontago area can be easily reached from the picturesque Dunedin with accommodation in Dunedin suitable for all budgets and requirements.
The wine making regions of New Zealand, set amongst some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery, make an exciting holiday destination for the food and wine enthusiast.
Add to that New Zealand's extreme sports, comprehensive ski fields and beautiful and diverse flora, fauna and terrain and you'll have a holiday you won't want to end.
The quality of cool climate wines coming out of the land of the long white cloud is exceptional.
The long days of sunshine and cool overnight temperatures mean the grapes mature slowly giving a rich, developed flavour along with vibrancy and intensity.
Both the North Island and South Island produce wine, with a total of 10 distinct wine making regions spread across both islands.
Each region has a unique climate and topography and produces different specialty wines.
The North Island has 6 regions - Northland is the oldest of the wine making regions with the first vines planted almost 100 years ago.
The area is the warmest in New Zealand and favours red grape varieties, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah but also produces bold Chardonnays.
The Auckland area has a similar climate to the Northland area so also produces similar varieties and styles of wine.
Other full bodied reds and excellent Sauvignon Blancs are also characteristic of the area.
The Waikato and Bay of Plenty area just south of Auckland focuses mainly on Chardonnays with Sauvignon Blancs and Cabernet Sauvignons also popular in the area.
The picturesque Gisborne area produces a wide range of wine varieties but is best known for its incredible Chardonnays.
A number of red varieties from this area along with Viognier, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer are also known to be of excellent quality and can be uncharacteristically drunk from an early age.
Hawke's Bay also on the North Island, is the second largest wine making Region in New Zealand and is responsible for 80% of New Zealand's annual Cabernet Merlot and Syrah production.
Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs and full bodied reds are also produced in the Hawke's Bay region.
Although the Wairarapa region is not a large wine producer, the quality of its wine is exceptional.
The region specialises in Pinot Noir but also produces a number of white varieties including Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Aromatics.
The South Island has four main wine regions, the most northern, being the Nelson region.
On a per hectare of planted vines basis, the Nelson area wins more awards than any other wine making region in New Zealand.
Superb 'stickies', bold Chardonnays and exquisite Pinot Noirs consistently come out of the area.
Nelson wines are sold worldwide and have a reputation for excellence.
The Marlborough region is easily the most recognisable of New Zealand's wine making regions and is the biggest producer of wines in the country and is recognised internationally as one of the world's premium wine growing regions.
Mainly white varietals are produced in the area along with some stunning Pinot Noirs and excellent examples of Syrah.
Canterbury is another of the South Island's wine regions mainly specialising in white wines, although again Pinot Noirs from the area are excellent.
The last of the South Island regions is Central Otago, predominantly a Pinot Noir producing region, although Rieslings, Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs and Sparklings are also successfully produced in the area.
Visiting the wineries and sampling their offerings at the Cellar door has always been a favourite pastime of food and wine connoisseurs, and the wineries of New Zealand have embraced this tradition with gusto.
Winemakers enjoy meeting and greeting at the cellar door and are happy to share their expertise to those who want to listen.
There is a large range of accommodation options throughout New Zealand and its wine making regions ranging from bed and breakfasts and cabins amongst the vineyards, to luxury hotels and budget backpackers.
Hamilton is a great base for wine tasters visiting the North Island as the accommodation in Hamilton is diverse and plentiful and Hamilton's location is central to several of the North Islands northern wine making areas.
When visiting the North Island's more southern wine regions, Palmerston North makes a good base with a good range of excellent value Palmerston North accommodation available for all styles of travellers.
In the South Island, Nelson with its eclectic arts community offers excellent Nelson accommodation options and is accessible to both the extensive group of Nelson vineyards as well as being within close driving distance to the popular Marlborough region and its many attractions.
The Central Ontago area can be easily reached from the picturesque Dunedin with accommodation in Dunedin suitable for all budgets and requirements.
The wine making regions of New Zealand, set amongst some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery, make an exciting holiday destination for the food and wine enthusiast.
Add to that New Zealand's extreme sports, comprehensive ski fields and beautiful and diverse flora, fauna and terrain and you'll have a holiday you won't want to end.
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