Your Guidebook to New Zealand Wines

Mon, Aug 28, 23

Renowned for its wines, New Zealand holds an array of grape varieties across its landscape. While the prominent French varietals hold, New Zealand has been actively exploring and achieving triumphs with alternative wine styles. Below, you'll find a rundown of the main grape varieties thriving in New Zealand and an overview of their wines.

Be sure to see our selection of New Zealand wines at Rollers Wine & Spirits and order wine online today!

Red Wines

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Typically, these two types of grapes are combined, as seen in the Bordeaux tradition, to craft dry red wines with rich flavors. The warmer climate in the North Island, particularly in Hawkes Bay and Auckland (especially Waiheke Island), proves most fitting for producing exceptional wines.

Syrah

Referred to as Shiraz in Australia and with its roots tracing back to the Rhone Valley in France, Syrah is experiencing a boost in popularity within New Zealand. Thriving on heat for proper ripening, the best expressions of this grape in the country emerge from Hawkes Bay located in the North Island.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir stands as New Zealand's premier red wine grape variety. Given the country's climate shares certain resemblances with Burgundy, France, where the grape originates, this fact comes as no shock.

The spectrum of New Zealand Pinot Noir covers diverse styles. The regions renowned for crafting top-tier wines include Central Otago in the South Island and Martinborough in the North Island.

White Wines

Chardonnay

Cultivated across New Zealand's prominent wine territories, the white grape of Burgundy flourishes, yielding an array of wine styles. Particularly within the North Island, specifically in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay, the resulting wines exhibit ripe, tropical flavors that harmonize with the influence of oak barrel maturation.

Riesling

New Zealand produces exquisite Riesling wines that often don't receive the recognition they deserve. The grape's potential spans a spectrum from slightly off-dry to delightfully sweet, demanding thoughtful consideration during the selection process. Its flavor profile traverses from zesty notes of citric lemon and lime to the lushness of tropical fruits.

Sauvignon Blanc

New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc, finding its roots in the Loire Valley of France, exudes a unique personality. Its flavor spectrum spans from the green vibrancy of capsicum and newly mown grass to the luscious notes of passionfruit, melon, and zesty limes.

Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer is crafted in limited volumes within New Zealand, yet the resulting wines display remarkable promise. The prevailing flavors often evoke lychees and apricots, with a notable trend: the wines produced farther north tend to embrace a richer, tropical character. This varietal range extends from crisp dryness to profoundly lush sweetness.

Sparkling Wine

The South Island's chilly climate has yielded triumph in crafting dry sparkling wines. Among these, Marlborough stands out as a leader, typically fashioning its finest offerings through a harmonious marriage of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape varieties.

Order New Zealand Wine Online from Rollers Wine & Spirits!

If you’re curious about the extravagant tastes of New Zealand wine, see our selection online at Rollers Wine & Spirits! If you need additional guidance, our wine connoisseurs would be happy to help you. Simply contact us or visit one of our locations.

By Paige Lorberbaum