NEW ZEALAND WINES(2)
HOW TO ORDER/BUY
Even though New Zealand labeling requirements are not strictly enforced yet, their wine labels contain most the information you need to make an educated choice — from the grape varietals to the origin and producer. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask your server or wine shop dealer.
Just Keep in Mind:
• If you’re new to New Zealand wines, try the wines for which they’re known. You can’t go wrong with a New Z Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir.
• Since New Zealand has just “arrived” on the wine scene, try younger vintages in all varietals. 2000 is an overall great one!
• If you already know what you like — order your usual Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay. Styles may vary a bit, but the basics hold up from country to country.CHOOSING A NEW ZEALAND WINE
Various Central Otago Producers
Chard Farm Bannockburn Heights Felton Road Gibbston Valley Rippon Vineyard Various Gisborne Producers
Villa Maria Robard & Butler Corbans Matua Valley Millton Montana Nobilo Revington Various Hawkes Bay Producers
Babich Church Road Clearview Estate Collards Coopers Creek Corbans Craggy Road Delegat’s Matua Valley Mills Reef Morton Estate Ngatarawa CJ Pask Stonecroft Te Awa Farm Te Mata Trinity Hill Vidal Alpha Domus Esk Valley Various Marlborough Producers
Allan Scott Babich Cairnbrae Cellier Cloudy Bay Pelorus Collards Corbans Cottage Block Craggy Range Dog Point Goldwater Hunter’s Huntaway Kim Crawford Oyster Bay Lynskeys Nobilo Selaks Seresin Stoneleigh Thornbury Vavasour Villa Maria LEGAL QUALITY CODES
While New Zealand waits for the Wine Act 2003 to pin down some strict regulations in the wine industry, the low-key Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) upholds controls on wine quality.
SWNZ’s role is to:
1. Provide a “best practice model” in the vineyard and winery.
2. Guarantee quality from the soil to the bottle.
3. Address consumer concerns.If SWNZ “wine accreditation” is met, then the winery may use SWNZ endorsement on their wine label. This accreditation has the following requirements:
1. Wine must be made from 100% SWNZ-accredited grapes.
2. Winery must pass an annual post-vintage audit each year.
