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To Paint A Picture: Kumeu River Chardonnay 2006-2017
featured, New Zealand
, Feb 2019
Kumeu River is New Zealand's greatest Chardonnay producer, one that is genuinely world class. Following the most comprehensive tasting ever conducted, this article traces the story of the Brajkovich family, details their vineyards and philosophies, to find out how they make such bloody good Chardonnay.
New Zealand: Just For Starters
featured, New Zealand
, Nov 2018
Upon joining Vinous, New Zealand came back into my purview for the first time since 2010. Its location on the opposite side of the world meant that finding time to visit this year was not quite as easy as nipping down to Bordeaux or Burgundy on the daily easyJet. This interim report covers more than 400 new releases from a wide range of estates.
New Zealand’s Pellucid Wines: More Light Than Heat
featured, New Zealand
, May 2016
New Zealand’s wine industry and its grape vines continue to grow and mature. I experienced the country’s blinding summer sunshine up close and personal earlier this year, but its vibrant wines kept me consistently refreshed. I tasted more wines than ever before that deliver complexity and place character, not just varietal fruit. And the recent succession of benevolent growing seasons has been a boon for ripeness without heaviness.
Focus on Gimblett Gravels
featured, New Zealand
, Mar 2015
Two thousand twelve was a cool, late year in the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District, a favored area within the greater Hawkes Bay appellation on New Zealand’s North Island.
The Best of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
IWC, New Zealand
, Sep 2014
What a difference a year makes! Last summer the task of tasting well over a hundred 2012 sauvignon blancs from Marlborough was truly an acid test, as many of those wines were made from grapes that never ripened properly in a very cool, late growing season
The Best of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, and Some Chardonnays Too
IWC, New Zealand
, Sep 2013
These are tricky times for New Zealand wine in the U.S. market, as the short crop of 2012 and continued strength in the New Zealand dollar are exerting pressures on prices here.
New Zealand Sauvignon and Pinot
IWC, New Zealand
, Sep 2012
Exports of New Zealand wines to the U.S. have grown by 19% over the past 12 months, driven by this market's thirst for sauvignon blanc, which accounted for nearly 90% of New Zealand wines shipped here.
New Zealand Sauvignons and Pinots
IWC, New Zealand
, Sep 2011
Owing largely to the high cost of grape-farming and winemaking, New Zealand's wines have never been cheap in export markets
New Zealand Sauvignon and Pinot
IWC, New Zealand
, Sep 2010
New Zealand sauvignon blanc is a no-brainer for the consumer looking for fresh white wine at a moderate price, either to accompany a restaurant meal or for enjoying at home
New Zealand Sauvignon and Pinot
IWC, New Zealand
, Sep 2009
American consumers can still find New Zealands wines in the market at the same prices as last year, and in some cases lower