Top 100 white wines of North Island

Discover the top 100 best white wines of North Island as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the white wines that are popular of North Island and the best vintages to taste in this region.

Discovering the wine region of North Island

New-zealand/north-island/northland">Northland, as its name suggests, is New Zealand's northernmost wine-producing region, around four hours' drive northwest of the country's largest city, Auckland. Most of the Northland region's wineries are situated on the east coast, particularly around the Bay of Islands and the Karikari Pensinula, with another cluster on the west coast near Kaitaia. The region's red wines are mostly produced from Syrah, Pinotage">Pinotage and the Hybrid variety Chambourcin. Chardonnay leads the way for white wine grape varieties; Pinot Gris, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc are among the other varieties cultivated here.

Although Northland's contribution to the New Zealand wine industry is minuscule (in 2013, the region crushed 130 metric tonnes of grapes, compared to Marlborough's 250,000), it is important historically. The first vines were planted in the Bay of Islands in 1819, a Full 30 years before missionaries began planting in the Hawkes Bay. The founding father of viticulture in the Antipodes, James Busby, had a Vineyard at his house at Waitangi before going on to establish the Hunter Valley wine region in Australia. This Waitangi property is also where New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840.

In the late 1800s, kauri-gum diggers from Croatia began to move into the area in search of fortune, bringing winemaking traditions from their homeland. While viticulture in the region has never been viable on a large scale, Northland's boutique wine industry is growing fast, with the Northland Wine Growers Association (formed in 2007) boasting a membership of more than 50. Northland's sub-tropical Climate is unique in New Zealand. Warm, humid summers and rainy winters are challenging for growers, who must employ careful vineyard techniques to avoid mildew and rot.

Discover the grape variety: Riesling

White Riesling is a grape variety that originated in France (Alsace). It produces a variety of grape specially used for the elaboration of wine. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of grape is characterized by small bunches, and small grapes. White Riesling can be found in many vineyards: Alsace, Loire Valley, Languedoc & Roussillon, Lorraine, Provence & Corsica, Rhone Valley, Savoie & Bugey, Beaujolais, South West.

Food and wine pairing with a white wine of North Island

white wines from the region of North Island go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of ollada (catalonia), mackerel in white wine or quiche with bacon and gruyère cheese.

Organoleptic analysis of white wine of North Island

On the nose in the region of North Island often reveals types of flavors of pineapple, banana or grilled pineapple and sometimes also flavors of lemon curd, white nectarine or yellow peach. In the mouth in the region of North Island is a with a nice freshness.

News from the vineyard of North Island

Club dVIN offers members trip to ‘Bhutan’s first wine harvest’

Club dVIN, which launched earlier this year as a global NFT wine club, said members will be given the chance to sign up for a series of trips to Bhutan from late July to late September 2023. Those flying out will be able to ‘snip grapes’ and break ground on the Ser Kem Winery, alongside experiences like river rafting and visiting monasteries, Club dVIN said. ‘If you love wine and adventure, this is an unmatched opportunity to fill your cup with both while taking in the breathtaking beauty of Bhu ...

Rare Lafite 1887 magnum tops £22,000 in Sotheby’s auction

A magnum of Lafite Rothschild 1887 sold for £22,500 ($28,300) at a Sotheby’s auction of ‘vinous treasures’ spanning nearly 200 years. The wine, held in storage with Octavian group in Wiltshire, had a pre-sale high estimate of £18,000. A single bottle of Château d’Yquem 1831 sold for £27,500 (pre-sale high estimate: £20,000). Another bottle of Yquem, from the 1896 vintage, sold for £15,000, tripling its pre-sale high estimate. ‘An extraordinary wine from a very great Sauternes vintage,’ said Sere ...

Michelin Guide 2022: UK & Ireland winners announced

Every year the hospitality industry holds its breath as the revised line up of the Michelin Guide is announced. A star won – or lost – is often a pivotal moment in the consolidation of a venue’s name and the reputation of the chef, sommelier and restaurateurs behind it. Yesterday, February 16th, the Michelin Stars were unveiled for this year’s Michelin Great Britain & Ireland Guide, with 19 restaurants having been newly awarded a star, bringing the total number of one starred restaurants in ...