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Marlborough freshness, Central Otago Pinot and a new whisky frontier

Discover New Zealand through Sauvignon Blanc, cool-climate Pinot Noir, Hawke's Bay reds and a flourishing craft whisky scene.

Destination in depth · New Zealand

New Zealand, a world of fresh perspectives

Vines framed by mountains and water, bright ocean air and an impressive range of cool-climate wines. New Zealand became famous for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but Central Otago Pinot Noir, Hawke’s Bay Syrah and emerging malt whiskies make the journey much more rewarding.

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Marlborough Sauvignon

Central Otago Pinot

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

Kiwi whisky

Vineyard near Renwick in Marlborough, New Zealand

01 · Marlborough

Sunlit valleys, bright aromatics and an unmistakable coastal freshness

Sauvignon Blanc made the world look south

Marlborough’s combination of abundant sunshine, cool nights and distinctive soils helped its Sauvignon Blanc gain an international reputation. The familiar notes of citrus, passion fruit and fresh herbs are only the start: producers and sites give markedly different expressions, from crisp and direct to textured, fermented or aged in oak.

This is a great region for a small side-by-side tasting. Try Cloudy Bay next to Dog Point, then a more deliberately textured wine such as Greywacke Wild Sauvignon. Serve with seafood, fresh herbs or soft goat’s cheese. Marlborough also produces impressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, so don’t stop at the best-known grape.

Sauvignon Blanc with green vegetables, shellfish, goat’s cheese or herb-rich dishes.

Start with Cloudy Bay Compare Dog Point Discover Wild Sauvignon

Misty lake and mountains in Central Otago, New Zealand

02 · Central Otago

Lakes, mountain air and the southernmost vineyards

Pinot Noir in a landscape of extremes

The landscape around Queenstown, Cromwell and Bannockburn has a wonderful contrast: dry hillsides, cool nights, bright sun and great mountain ranges. Pinot Noir thrives in the region’s often continental conditions, delivering fragrance, cherry fruit, fine tannin and sometimes darker, more savoury complexity.

Bannockburn is particularly associated with structured, expressive Pinot Noir, and producers such as Felton Road have helped make Central Otago internationally admired. A glass with mushrooms, duck or roast beetroot can be a revelation. The region also grows vivid whites, and its wider hinterland is home to craft distilling.

Central Otago Pinot Noir with roast duck, mushrooms or earthy root vegetables.

Discover Felton Road Pinot A whisky diversion: Cardrona

Green hills and a river valley seen from Te Mata Peak in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

03 · Hawke’s Bay

Sunshine, Gimblett Gravels and food-friendly Syrah

A different New Zealand red

On the east coast of the North Island, Hawke’s Bay has a long winegrowing history and a sunnier climate than much of the country. Its red wines often look beyond Pinot Noir, with Cabernet-led blends and increasingly striking Syrah. Gimblett Gravels is known for free-draining gravelly soils that help grapes ripen in a distinctive local setting.

Try a peppery Craggy Range Syrah with barbecue or savoury roasted vegetables, then compare a structured Bordeaux-style blend such as Te Mata Awatea. Hawke’s Bay also makes Chardonnay worth discovering. It completes the picture of New Zealand as a country of many regional voices rather than a single Sauvignon Blanc style.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah with smoky vegetables, roast lamb or richly spiced tomato dishes.

Explore Craggy Range Syrah Discover Te Mata Awatea A Hawke’s Bay white

A tasting journey at your own pace

Four glasses, a wider world

These are discovery ideas rather than a checklist for one evening. Follow the regional differences, enjoy a little with food and water, and find the bottle that appeals to you.

01 · A lively beginning

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Crisp, aromatic and brilliant with seafood.

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02 · A textured contrast

Wild-fermented Sauvignon

Another Marlborough interpretation with additional texture.

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03 · The southern red

Central Otago Pinot Noir

Silky, fragrant Pinot with earthy food.

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04 · Beyond the vines

Cardrona single malt

A New Zealand whisky to finish the journey another day.

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Stock and prices are confirmed by retailers, not promised by this editorial guide. Separate retailers may require separate checkouts.

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Further reading from regional wine organisations:

New Zealand Wine: Marlborough New Zealand Wine: Central Otago New Zealand Wine: Hawke’s Bay

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