Who's on first?
For a country that has come to the table so late, New Zealand has proven to be a leading player in the wine business. It was the first to accept the new Stelvin screw caps as an industry standard, eliminating the annoying and costly problem of corked wines. A group of New Zealand growers was the first to trademark a wine district, Gimblett Gravels, to ensure that the purity and integrity of the designation weren't compromised by political issues beyond its control. New Zealand was also the first country where a winery (Tohu) owned and run exclusively by aboriginal people was established (the second is Canada, with Nk'Mip in B.C.). And recently, Wine Enthusiast named New Zealand the “wine region of the year.” Considering that 15 years ago the most exciting beverage from this “region” was kiwi wine, things are looking good.
Recommended Reds
Babich, Syrah (Hawke's Bay, North Island), $24
Framingham, Merlot/Malbec (Marlborough, South Island), $25
Herzog, Pinot Noir (Marlborough, South Island), $50
Jackson Estate, Pinot Noir (Marlborough, South Island), $25
Kim Crawford, Merlot “Te Awanga Vineyard”
(Hawke's Bay, North Island), $28
Konrad & Co., Pinot Noir (Marlborough, South Island), $29
(to be released in February 2005)
Oyster Bay, Merlot (Hawke's Bay, North Island), $18
Tohu, Pinot Noir (Marlborough, South Island), $32
(Prices may vary from province to province)
Read more in Food & Entertaining and Wine & Spirits
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