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2008 - Australian Wine

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The Wines of New Zealand


It?s easy to assume that New Zealand is a lot like Australia with its geographical proximity to the Outback: visitors may often be on the lookout for crocodile wrestling and Nicole Kidman sightings. Despite this assumption, New Zealand is a country all its own. Located halfway between the South Pole and the Equator, this nation is divided into the North Island and the South Island, with several smaller islands peppered in; it is a country filled with culture, history, and, of course, flora. Due to recent advances, it is now a country also filled with wine.



In the book of wine history, New Zealand hasn?t had much of a place, exiled to the small font of the index page. With diseases, poor quality grapes, and inexperienced farmers all serving as factors, its wines have been kicked out of liquor stores and booted out of bars. Nonetheless, these wines refused to stay out, sitting behind their vines and sulking; they decided to try again.



Perhaps it was the perseverance of the winemakers, or the zeal that partly makes up the nation?s name, but something kept the New Zealand wine industry going. After a hundred and forty years of poor quality wine, things changed: vineyards became more innovated and the lessons from experience began to stick, giving this nation's wine a second chance. By the early 1990?s, New Zealand wine had found a place: their grapes shed their former skins and emerged into something special.



The four years between 1994 and 1998 were literally a time of growth for the New Zealand wine industry: the number of winemakers increased from 31 to 293, the number of wineries tripled, and the amount of land reserved for viniculture nearly doubled. But the wine industry, as a whole, still remained small: presently, New Zealand produces an annual amount of wine that is one twelfth of Australia?s stock.



Greatly influenced by the English, Scottish, Irish, Asian, Polynesian, and Maori cultures, New Zealand as a country is a bit of a melting pot, and this shows in its wine: there are as many kinds of grapes as there are kinds of people. Over 20 varieties of grapes are grown in the ten main growing regions located all across the country. These grapes are made into wines at wineries that range from large to small.



New Zealand is known in particular for white wine, with 75 percent of wine produced being of this type. One white wine, the Sauvignon Blanc, is very much the grape of this country?s eye; it is the wine that put this nation on the map. With a flavor and a sharpness said to trump all others, this Sauvignon Blanc is one the most well-liked wines around. Many people attest that New Zealand produces the best Sauvignon Blanc in the entire world.



Red wines are, however, not absent; they are starting to be produced more frequently. Cabernet and Merlot are helping the red wine industry by climbing up the corporate vine, but the true red wine of New Zealand is Pinot Noir. This wine is becoming increasingly more and more popular; soon it may rival Sauvignon Blanc for prom queen.



New Zealand is home to vineyards extremely close to the ocean. When this is coupled with a southern location, possessing vineyards that are the southernmost in all the word, a different kind of climate is introduced to the grape. With a different kind of climate comes a different kind of wine. Marked by weather that is cool and consistent, the grapes of New Zealand are able to ripe at a slow, steady pace. This produces a wine that is intense, sharp in flavor and tastes like no other.



The rocky start behind them, New Zealanders are looking to the future of wine with their chins, and their glasses, held high. With the production of Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir, not to mention the hype the Riesling is creating, there is no knowing where the New Zealand wine culture will sit in the future. Chance are, it will sit among the best wine cultures in the world, known as one of the greatest lands for wine anywhere, not just north of the South Pole.

Jennifer Jordan is the senior editor at http://www.savoreachglass.com With a vast knowledge of wine etiquette, she writes articles on everything from how to hold a glass of wine to how to hold your hair back after too many glasses. Ultimately, she writes her articles with the intention that readers will remember wine is fun and each glass of anything fun should always be savored.



Short Review on Australian Wine

The Wines of New Zealand


It?s easy to assume that New Zealand is a lot like Australia with its geographical proximity to the Outback: visitors may often be on the lookout for ...


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Recommended Australian Wine Items

Le Montrachet - Grand Cru


The Protheau Estate began in 1720 with 55 hectares in Mercury. Since then they have grown to 280 hectares with 130 hectares covering most of the important growths of the Cote d'Or and the southernly Cote Chalonnaise. Now based in Meursault, the firm produces 69 Burgundy appelations which include 23 Premier Crus and 3 Grand Crus. The Protheau Montrachet is golden yellow in color with a nose of white flowers, green apple and hints of oak and vanilla that jumps out of the glass at you. The mouth is quite mineral with modest, mature acidity and hints of ripe pears. A very exceptional Montrachet. (Subject to Availabilty) LMO98 LMO98


Price: 461.99 USD



Australian Wine in the news

Wine Bras and Strap-On Beer Bellies

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:18:45 PDT
I kid you not. A German company has gone above and beyond. Not only will it increase women's cup sizes from an A to a D, you'll also be able to drink your favorite beverage from your boobs at the same time. A little unsettling but totally awesome! Interested in buying one?

A Cork Above

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:31:50 PDT
Shop for Wines, Spirits, Craft Beers, Volcanically Grown Coffee, Mixers, Spices, and Gourmet Cooking Items.Checkout and Buy with ONE easy and secure shopping-cart transaction or Come on in and just browse... it's fun! Learn about the product through Interactive Videos straight from the producers.

Masterly classes at the Jo'burg Wine Show (South African Wine News)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:08:20 PDT
If you want to sharpen up your wine and food knowledge, The Jo'burg Wine Show in association with The Star is definitely the place to be this weekend. From Friday, 27 June to Sunday, 29 June, Gallagher Estate will be abuzz with top wine producers and food fundis for this three-day wine extravaganza.

Italian Trade Commission promotes wine and food (Journal Inquirer)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:51:21 PDT
Weep on, weep on, my pouting vine! Heaven grant no tears, but tears of wine. Weep on; and as sorrows flow, I’ll taste the luxury of woe! — Thomas Moore (1779-1852)

Leather Bucket Tub Chair Paprika Wine

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:56:15 PDT
Buy the Stylish Wine Bucket Tub Chair Upholstered in Wine Faux Leather with confidence. The Tub Sofa and Footrest is fully manufactured within the UK. The White Tub Chair is delivered FREE of charge to anywhere within the UK and comes with a fully refundable 12 Month Guarantee – in the unlikely case something goes wrong.Delivery Lead Time 2-4

Buy me some peanuts and Cabernet for Subway Series (New York Daily News)

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:46:08 PDT
Just in time for this weekend's Yankees-Mets series, a Staten Island wine store is challenging its customers to show their love for their favorite New York team - and help some good causes in the process.


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