Top 100 sweet wines of South Island

Discover the top 100 best sweet wines of South Island as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the sweet 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: 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 sweet wine of South Island

sweet wines from the region of South Island go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, shellfish or spicy food such as recipes of currywurst, marinated mussels with parsley or pastilla with chicken (moroccan pie with brick sheets).

News from the vineyard of South Island

How to work with Chablis wines as a sommelier by Yang LU

On December 10, 2020, four Hong Kong personalities discussed Chablis wines on a live webinar: Yang LU, Master Sommelier and Official Bourgogne Wines Ambassador, Debra MEIBURG, Master of Wine, Ivy NG, Official Bourgogne Wines Ambassador and Rebecca LEUNG, wine expert. In this 2 min 50 sec clip, Yang LU shares his experience as a sommelier on the importance of Chablis wines in the restaurant industry. #Chablis #PureChablis ...

At the heart of the terroirs of Mâcon-Vinzelles

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-Vinzelles, 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/BourgogneW ...

An overview of Mâcon plus a geographical denomination appellation

The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) invites you to a survey of this vineyard where the 27 geographical denominations of the Mâcon appellation are produced. A unique journey to discover this region where the Romanesque churches punctuate the landscape and are the witnesses of the link between the vines and Christiannity. Cluny is the gatekeeper. Our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BourgogneWines​ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BourgogneWines/​​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vin ...