New Zealand: land of unspoiled nature, land of the Maoris and the many climate zones from subtropical to continental glaciers and stunning fjords. But most of all New Zealand is Lord of the aromatic Sauvignon Blanc wines with brisk acidity. The North and the South Island are located between the ideal wine grades: 36th and 45th degrees south latitude. New Zealand produces mainly white wines, from which the Sauvignon Blanc has a major component. The wines from Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir have a good reputation. Like the seasons harvesting is also opposite to the wine country above the equator. On the North Island, the vintage started late February / early March and the South Island even further after about six weeks from mid-April.

Wine Legislation in New Zealand
The classification of the wines in New Zealand comes under the Certified Origin System. This legislation ensures that at least 85% of the grapes is originally from the region, vintage and grape variety.

Wine Regions of New Zealand
1. Marlborough
2. Hawkes Bay
3. Gisborne
4. Otago
5. Canterbury
6. Wellington
7. Auckland
8. Nelson
9. Waikato / Bay of Plenty

North Island
To the North Island include:

• Hawkes Bay (Gimblett Road Chardonnay wine district mainly)
• Gisborne (New Zealand's Chardonnay Capital)
• Wellington (Wairarapa town of Martinborough wine district with mainly Pinot Noir)
• Auckland wine district: Henderson Kumeu, Huapai, Waiheke Island (great wines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc), Matakana (excellent Cabernet Sauvignon wines)
• Clevedon with his wines, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay)
• Waikato / Bay of Planty (mainly Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc).

South Island
The South Island include: Marlborough (mainly Sauvignon Blanc followed by Pinot noir and Riesling), Otago, Canterbury and Nelson are clearly in the shadow of Marlborough, but can sometimes yield surprising wines.