There is a new report on New Zealand’s vineyards and grapes. The area has increased by 2% and the country now has 38,680 hectares (~a third of Bordeaux) of which 30,921 hectares are white grapes and 7,758 hectares are red grapes.
Sauvignon blanc is still the most important grape with 26,850 hectares, which is 69% of the total surface. Pinot noir is the most important red grape with 5,625 hectares, 15% of the country’s vineyard surface. Despite the dominance of Sauvignon Blanc, some 30 other white grapes are grown, and they are often put forward by the growers (a lot of SB goes into big volume wine brands).
Whites worth mentioning are especially riesling, pinot gris, chardonnay, gewurztraminer, sauvignon gris, viognier, grüner veltliner, albariño and semillon. In reds, besides pinot noir, we find cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec, syrah, cabernet franc, tempranillo, pinot meunier, pinotage and several others.
Marlborough is the biggest region with 26,288 hectares. Then comes, in size order, Hawke’s Bay, Central Otago, Waipara Valley, Gisborne, Nelson, Wairarapa, Auckland, Canterbury, Northland, Waitaki Valley and Bay of Plenty with just 15 hectares.
Read more: NZ Vineyard Report.
Travel: Come and experience New Zealand with us on the wine tour in March 2020!
