A welcome increase of volume produced after the small 2015 vintage. Martinborough had excellent weather conditions throughout the year, and is likely to fare better than Central Otago. In Marlborough, larger than average berry size is expected to emphasise thiols (passionfruit flavours) over methoxypyrazines (herbal flavours).Marlborough enjoyed a very dry summer, resulting in wines with greater concentration than 2014 and yields were down 20-25%. Central Otago enjoyed plenty of ripeness in the Pinot Noir. A generally good vintage across the country, with particular excitement in Hawke’s Bay where 2014 is thought of as potentially even better than the outstanding 2013. The country’s viticultural engine room Marlborough had its largest ever vintage, with quality touted as above-average. Slightly riper than 2012 in Marlborough, and 'nigh-on perfect' in much of the north island, especially Hawke's Bay, with a long, warm summer and no adverse weather - although early frosts did bring down yields for many.

One of the coolest years on record, and an overall yield 18% below the norm. This resulted in Sauvignon Blancs with grass and citrus flavours instead of tropical fruit. Warm and ripe across New Zealand, with a bumper crop of grapes. Only produced 75% of average yields, but a very easy vintage otherwise. Sauvignon Blanc experienced particular concentration, while Pinot Noir was praised for its perfume and firm structure. Good quality throughout New Zealand, with dry conditions making for lovely, healthy, naturally balanced wines. Reds from Martinborough and Hawke's Bay were especially noteworthy. A lot of rot in Marlborough, meaning careful selection was required to make good Sauvignon Blanc. Not a distinguished vintage. Unkind to Martinborough, which suffered frost damage, but was welcomed across every other region as being good if not outstanding quality. For a much more detailed report of 2007 in New Zealand, click Good Sauvignon Blanc, but was more notable for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah based wines that benefited from the warm and dry weather.

A small crop, producing wine with much greater concentration than normal. High yields of good quality fruit across most regions - with the exception of Central Otago, which suffered decimating frosts.best red wine in the world 2011Spring frosts reduced yield in many areas, producing 35% less fruit than in 2002. best wine in englandQuality is considered good albeit not stellar.name of wine master Warm weather that was good for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, but less beneficial to Sauvignon Blanc.wine to sleep better Exceptional quality on the south island, but was lighter in style on the north island.dry white wine good

Much lower yields thanks to rot caused by rain. Marlborough was one of the best regions of the country. Winemaking is still fairly new to New Zealand. Yet after only a couple decades, Kiwi winemakers are already producing wines that are consistently lauded by international experts.best wine regions in the world 2015 In 2002, American wine guru Robert Parker declared a Felton Road 1997 Pinot Noir as one of the top 3 wines in a blind tasting of Burgundy reds. best wine tours united states(And this from a man who has been a vocal critic of New Zealand wines…)how much does a large glass of wine cost In April 2003, Wine Spectator rated central Otago as one of the top 5 most exciting New World wine regions. how much does a large glass of wine cost

And now the up-and-coming Hawke’s Bay Shiraz is rivaling even the best Australian Shirazes. So what on earth is going on here? Otago is one of the four major wine-producing areas in the country (along with the Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay and Auckland regions). Many experts attribute the oenological successes of Otago wines to the extreme temperatures experienced by the region. (Strangely, they argue that the frigid winters and blistering summers are actually beneficial to winemaking…)Winemakers in New Zealand are hailing the 2013 vintage as 'one of the best in history', with a record harvest 28% bigger than last year’s crop. New Zealand Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan described the summer as ‘outstanding’ with ‘near-perfect conditions for growing grapes’. ‘The result is that we expect the 2013 wines to be vibrant, fruit-driven and complex expressions of our diverse grape-growing regions – 2013 looks set to be a vintage to remember.’ Nearly 350,000 tonnes of grapes were harvested in 2013, a record volume up 5% on 2011 and 28% bigger than last year’s small crop, which left New Zealand short of wine to feed its expansion plans.

Key region Marlborough and key grape variety Sauvignon Blanc both had good years, with volumes up 33% and 26% respectively, while the Pinot Noir crop was 36% bigger than in 2012. ‘The small 2012 grape crop left the industry unable to meet continuing strong consumer demand in established and new markets,’ said Gregan. ‘Winemakers will welcome the more normal 2013 harvest as the better balanced supply will facilitate renewed export growth in the year ahead.’ Premium winery Villa Maria described the quality of Marlborough fruit as ‘exceptional’ with Chardonnay an early highlight, but reserved its highest praise for Hawke’s Bay. Claiming that the area’s 2013 harvest was ‘remarkable’ and would ‘go down in history’, the company said: ‘We have never seen everything look so pristine and the flavours were amazing.’ Flavours were so pure and clean that variations between soil types and individual clones were apparent, with Merlot described as ‘a real stand-out’.