Top 100 wines of South Island - Page 4
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.
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: Sémillon
Sémillon blanc is a grape variety that originated in France (Bordeaux). It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. Note that this grape variety can also be used for the elaboration of eaux de vie. This variety of vine is characterized by large bunches of grapes, and grapes of large size. Sémillon Blanc can be found in several vineyards: South-West, Languedoc & Roussillon, Cognac, Bordeaux, Armagnac, Provence & Corsica, Loire Valley, Rhone Valley, Savoie & Bugey, Beaujolais.
Food and wine pairing with a wine of South Island
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 garlic shrimp, light tuna-tomato quiche (without cream) or provençal tart with tomato and goat cheese.
Organoleptic analysis of wine of South Island
On the nose in the region of South Island often reveals types of flavors of pineapple, tobacco or citrus zest and sometimes also flavors of jalapeno, citrus blossom or cantaloupe. In the mouth in the region of South Island is a with a nice freshness.
News from the vineyard of South Island
Uruguay harvest report 2023: Low yields but high quality
With 5,848ha under vine Uruguay is becoming one of the most closely observed emerging wine producers in the world, with the focus here mostly on quality whites and the flagship Tannat reds. Uruguayan wine regions are coastal, meaning that their climate is defined by prevailing winds from the Río de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean, which usually ensure plenty of rainfall, especially in summer. However, this wasn’t true of the 2023 harvest. Uruguay suffered from its most severe drought in 50 years ...
Jenson Button makes foray into the spirits world with blended Scotch
The new blend, jointly developed by Button and Taiwan-based drinks consultant George Koutsakis, is named after the historic process of designing and hand building the bodywork for a luxury car. It brings together malt and grain whiskies from the five main regions of Scotland: Islay, Campbeltown, Speyside, the Highlands and the Lowlands, before being married together and extra matured in ex-sherry casks and finally bottled at 46% Button, who also last year revived the fortunes of the formerly def ...
Brad Pitt’s Rosé Champagne chosen for Oscars 2022
Fleur de Miraval will be poured at the Dolby Theatre during the Oscars (27 March), as well as during the Governors Ball – the Academy’s official afterparty – and at other Oscars-related events in Los Angeles, New York City, and London, including the Oscars Nominees Luncheon on 7 March. Serving Fleur de Miraval Rosé Champagne, best known for its association with Pitt, was a ‘natural choice’, the champagne brand said in a statement announcing the news. ‘Fleur de Miraval will now ...
Top wines in regions and sub-regions of South Island
The best wines of South Island in other styles
- The best wines natural sweet of South Island in other styles
- The best wines pink of South Island in other styles
- The best wines red of South Island in other styles
- The best wines sparkling of South Island in other styles
- The best wines sweet of South Island in other styles
- The best wines white of South Island in other styles