Top 100 wines of South Island
Discover the top 100 best wines of South Island as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the wines that are popular of South Island and the best vintages to taste in this region.
New Zealand's southern island, cradle of the country's great wines. Sauvignon Blanc signature in Marlborough (~80% of national vineyard): explosive and tropical with grapefruit, passion fruit, boxwood, cut grass and mineral touch — global benchmark. Pinot Noir star in Central Otago (among the most southerly) and Waipara: airy with cherry, raspberry, undergrowth, thyme. Taut Riesling, precise Chardonnay, floral Pinot Gris.
Aromatic, chiselled style.
Crystalline, taut whites with vibrant acidity and aromas of citrus, green apple, white flowers, vineyard peach and mineral/petrol notes with age. Made as dry (Trocken, Alsace), off-dry (Kabinett, Spätlese) and sweet (Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, late harvest). Star of the Moselle, Rheingau, Alsace AOC and Wachau. Also exported to Clare Valley and Finger Lakes.
wines from the region of South Island go well with generally quite well with dishes of shellfish, vegetarian or goat cheese such as recipes of cuttlefish armorican style (morgate), quiche lorraine or gratin of melting ravioli (bacon, goat cheese and cream).