Kia ora Bridgees,
It's time for the FINAL 'Country of the Month' for 2023, the slippery slope to the end of the year has officially begun! To round out the year, we're heading over to our sister-country, New Zealand.
It has been so wonderful taking a journey to a new wine homeland every month or so and using it as an excuse to share our knowledge on some lesser known wine brands and varieties, taking a deeper dive into the various countries.
New Zealand's winemaking history is a blend of tradition and innovation. European settlers introduced grapes to the country in the early 19th century, but it wasn't until the latter half of the 20th century that New Zealand's wines gained international acclaim. Join us for a tasting at OBC North Freo this Friday 6th Oct, or OBC Como next Thursday 12th Oct for a NZ-themed tasting and find out more!!
New Zealand boasts several distinct wine regions, each with its unique terroir that imparts character to the wines. Firstly Marlborough, which is located at the tip of the South Island and is the Sauvignon Blanc haven. The crisp, zesty flavours of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc have made it an international sensation.
Hawke's Bay, located on the North Island, is renowned for its exceptional red wines. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah flourish in this region, producing robust wines with a perfect balance of fruitiness and elegance.
Central Otago, the southernmost wine region in the world, is a place where Pinot Noir grapes thrive, creating wines with a velvety texture and a symphony of red fruit flavours.
As always, we've pulled together a Country of the Month mixed six pack that nicely covers these regions, plus one from sub-region of Kumeu, just outside Auckland.
Pack includes:
- Quartz Reef Methode Traditionnelle Brut NV
- Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc
- Kumeu River Village Chardonnay
- Te Mata Estate Gamay Noir
- Amisfield 'Lake Hayes' Pinot Noir
- Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Syrah
We hope you can join us for the upcoming tastings! If not, these will be on special through to the end of November online and in store!
