Top 100 sparkling wines of South Island

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

Discovering the wine region of South Island

Central Otago, near the bottom of New Zealand's South Island, vies for the title of world's most southerly wine region. Vineyards cling to the sides of mountains and high above river gorges in this dramatic landscape. Pinot Noir has proven itself in this challenging Terroir, and takes up nearly three-quarters of the region's vineyard area. The typical Central Otago Pinot Noir is intense and deeply colored, with flavors of doris plum, Sweet spice and bramble.

Two Paddocks, owned by actor Sam Neill, had thought the Last Chance vineyard was the world's most southerly (at 45°15'). But several major Patagonian projects are underway at around 45 to 46°, and Argentina can currently claim the honor for Alejandro Bulgheroni's new vineyard at Sarmiento (45°60'). The viticultural zone covers the mountainous area around the tourist resort town of Queenstown on the eastern side of the Southern Alps. The exact boundaries and sub-regional divisions are not official, but a geographic indication is in the pipeline.

Wineries are scattered around several distinct sub-regions: Gibbston, Alexandra, Wanaka and the Cromwell Basin, itself home to Bendigo, Bannockburn and Lowburn. Lakes Dunstan, Wakatipu and Wanaka all contribute to the terroir as well, along with the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers. Gold brought the first settlers to the region in the 1860s, and most of the towns in this Part of Otago have a Rich gold-mining history. The first vines were planted during this time by a French migrant but, unlike in the Sierra Foothills region of California where the European settlers provided a steady demand for wines, the tough, transient Otago miners had no interest in drinking wine, preferring beer and spirits.

Discover the grape variety: Sauvignon blanc

Originally from Bordeaux, Sauvignon, or Sauvignon Blanc, is reputed to be one of the best French grape varieties for white wine. It is a white grape variety, not to be confused with Sauvignon Gris and its pale yellow color, or with Cabernet Sauvignon which produces red wines. Particularly famous thanks to Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc is cultivated as far as New Zealand, where it produces great wines whose reputation is well established.

Food and wine pairing with a sparkling wine of South Island

sparkling wines from the region of South Island go well with generally quite well with dishes of veal, pork or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of veal blanquette burger, sauté of pork with cider or whole duck casserole with white wine.

Organoleptic analysis of sparkling wine of South Island

On the nose in the region of South Island often reveals types of flavors of pineapple, minerality or honey and sometimes also flavors of lemon zest, straw or yeast. In the mouth in the region of South Island is a with a nice vivacity and a fine and pleasant bubble.

News from the vineyard of South Island

At the heart of the terroirs of Mâcon-Chardonnay

Sequence from the video « At the heart of the Mâcon terroir » which offer a stroll at the heart of the Mâcon terroir. It offers a focus on Mâcon-Chardonnay, one of the 27 geographical denominations of the Mâcon appellation. Travel through the terroirs of the Mâcon appellation by watching the full video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF20y1aBZh8 Both are available in French and English. Our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BourgogneWines​​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bourgogne ...

At the heart of the terroirs of Mâcon-Bray

Sequence from the video « At the heart of the Mâcon terroir » which offer a stroll at the heart of the Mâcon terroir. It offers a focus on Mâcon-Bray, one of the 27 geographical denominations of the Mâcon appellation. Travel through the terroirs of the Mâcon appellation by watching the full video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF20y1aBZh8 Both are available in French and English. Our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BourgogneWines​​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BourgogneWines/ ...

The appellations of Bourgogne

Understand the hierarchy of Burgundy wine appellations in less than a minute! Our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BourgogneWines/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BourgogneWines/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinsdebourgogne/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bivb Find out more on our website: https://www.bourgogne-wines.com/ #BourgogneWines #Bourgogne ...