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.
Gewurztraminer rosé is a grape variety that originated in France. It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of vine is characterized by small bunches and small grapes. Gewurztraminer rosé can be found in many vineyards: Alsace, Loire Valley, Languedoc & Roussillon, Jura, Champagne, Lorraine, Provence & Corsica, Rhone Valley, Savoie & Bugey, Beaujolais, South West.
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 flemish carbonnade, gratin dauphinois with smoked salmon or salmon and goat cheese quiche.
On the nose in the region of North Island often reveals types of flavors of earth, tree fruit or citrus fruit and sometimes also flavors of non oak, microbio or oak. In the mouth in the region of North Island is a powerful with a nice freshness.
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If you’re looking to replenish your wine rack or spirits cabinet ahead of Christmas, then Black Friday is a great time to do it. With all major drinks retailers offering discounts on bottles in their range, you’ll be able to get some great deals on wine, Champagne and spirits. Offers have already started, with new deals going live on Black Friday and throughout the weekend into Cyber Monday. So it’s worth checking back regularly if you are looking for a particular producer or b ...
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