Wine Guides

From our sommeliers to you, here is an introduction to our prized wine varietals. Understand what makes each grape and style unique to New Zealand, what to expect on the palate, discover suitable food pairings, and more.

chardonnay

Definitive guide to Chardonnay, a relatively dry, medium-bodied white wine emanating fresh, crisp notes of citrus fruit.

pinot gris

Pinot Gris, also known as Pinot Grigio, is full-bodied and fleshy, dry and seductively smooth.

pinot noir

Pinot Noir elicits passionate devotion from wine lovers and is one of the most highly prized wines in the world.

merlot

Red fruits and a smooth finish are the popular characteristics of Merlot. But like all wines, it changes dramatically based on where in the world it’s from.

Méthode Traditionnelle

Marlborough produces a significant portion of New Zealand’s world-famous Méthode Traditionnelle, as a cool climate creates elegance and structure.

Riesling

Riesling boasts flowery aromas and relatively high acidity, producing a dramatic array of popular styles from bone dry, semi-sweet, very sweet and even sparkling.

Rosé

Rosé is currently the fastest-growing wine category in the country, and people the world over love the various New Zealand styles on offer.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc has propelled New Zealand wine to the world stage, and is still by far our most widely planted variety. Find out what all the fuss is about.

Syrah

New Zealand Syrah boasts typical bold flavours of plum and savoury black pepper, but will often have a hint of violet on the palate.