New Zealand is world famous for producing delicious wines. What’s remarkable about our small country’s wine industry is the wide range of wines available. From light and aromatic whites to rich and robust reds, you can find a locally made wine that matches your palette and preferred flavour profile.
Even within each wine variety, New Zealand’s different regions, soil types and climates produce a stunning array of flavours. For example, a New Zealand made Sauvignon Blanc can be aromatic with light flavours of crisp green apple, all the way through to a more mouth-filling flavour of rich pineapple and passionfruit.
Primarily we produce wines in New Zealand that are a reflection of the varietal character and for the most part are one variety dominant, for example Chardonnay. Within a variety there can be a huge range of variation on aromas and flavours created by the different regions, soil types and climates. Sauvignon Blanc can vary from the crisp green herbal though to the more mouth filling richer flavours of pineapple and passionfruit with huge range in between.
Want to know more, or not sure where to start? Talk to an expert in your local New World Wine department, and they will be happy to help you make a stand-out selection.
White wine shopping guide
There are huge variations and some white wines taste sweeter than others because even though they have the same sugar level, the fruit reminds us of sweet flavours. For example, Sauvignon Blanc often reminds us of flavours of fresh herbs and red capsicum, while Pinot Gris will remind us of ripe fresh pear. Both wines will be as sweet as each other in the amounts of sugar they have, but the Pinot Gris will appear to have a sweeter flavour.
Dry white wines
By definition, a dry white wine is a wine that’s not sweet. It’s all to do with the fermentation process and removing the residual sugars. But, the absence of sweetness does not mean the absence of fruit. Choosing a dry white wine means you’ll taste bold fruit flavours, only without the sugary sweetness.
Chardonnay
The pale lemon or gold colours of Chardonnay are often picked up from the oak barrels it's often aged in. The oak barrel aging of Chardonnay can add a buttery flavour and texture to the wine. You’ll also flavours of vanilla, with wooden or nutty aromas.
Dry Riesling
While Riesling is most commonly known as a sweeter wine variety, you can also find depth of flavour here too. For example, Marlborough Rieslings tend to be more full-bodied and dry, with just a hint of sweetness.
Albariño
Most commonly found in Spain and Portugal, most New Zealand varieties of Albariño are found in the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions. Albariño is famous for classic peach and citrus fruits with hints of zest and just a touch of saltiness or minerality.
Arneis
A rare wine varietal that was almost extinct 50 years ago, but is starting to make a return. Favouring cooler climates, Arneis is elegantly fresh but aromatic in nature. Classic flavours include subtle pear, stonefruit and sometimes almond.
Gruner Veltiner
This Austrian wine varietal (pronounced GREW-ner Velt-LEEN-er) has made itself at home in the comparable climate of Central Otago. Related to the much sweeter Gewürztraminer, this more restrained wine is characterised by pear, citrus, dill and white pepper.
Semillon
Not an incredibly popular wine varietal in New Zealand. Like Chardonnay, Semillon is a versatile variety that likes oak fermentation and maturation. Flavours can range from lemon and lime citrus to spicy caramel, honey and vanilla. Most of New Zealand’s Semillon goes into blends, where it adds extra depth to white wines.
Viognier
This dry white wine (pronounced Vee-on-yay) is known all over the world for its floral bouquet. That’s a fancy way of saying it smells strongly of peach and apricot, and it is a delicious alternative to Chardonnay.
Medium white wines
These wines are slightly sweet when you first taste them and will leave a rich, slightly sweet aftertaste. These wines often have “medium” or “off dry” on the label.
Popular medium white wines include:
Medium Riesling
In addition to looking for “medium” or “off dry” on the label, Rieslings produced in Marlborough and Canterbury tend to be ‘drier’ than counterparts produced in warmer climates. A Medium Riesling is crisp, and full of lemon and lime citrus, and green apple flavours.
Medium Pinot Gris
New Zealand’s cooler climate creates a beautiful style of Pinot Gris, with almost a waxy textured mouthfeel. Signature flavours of Pinot Gris include a balanced acidity with notes of apple, pear, honeysuckle, spice and bread.
Medium Gewürztraminer
New Zealand varieties of Gewürztraminer are extremely fragrant, with aromas of rose petals, lychee, cinnamon and ginger. After your first sip, look for ripe stone fruit, sweet citrus and quince notes.
Sweet white wines
These wines are very sweet and luscious and will often have on the label “Noble”, “Late Harvest”, “Late Pick” and “Botrytis”. These terms tell you a little about how the wine is made. Late harvesting is where the grapes are left to over-ripen and shrivel slightly on the vine, which concentrates the sugar level.
New Zealand winemakers can allow the fungus Botrytis Cinerea, also known as Noble Rot to infest the grape bunches. This fungus shrivels the grapes, reducing the water content and intensifying the sugar concentration.
As a side effect, the Noble Rot also introduces flavours of ginger and honey, making it common in the production of dessert wines.
Sweet Riesling
Within Riesling you can find a variety of aromas, from crisp apple and rose blossom, to bolder, citrus and stone fruit flavours like peach or lemon and lime. Today’s delicate flavours and tempered sweetness make Riesling the perfect summer wine.
Sweet Pinot Gris
While Pinot Gris shares some of Riesling’s sweetness, it has much less acidity and is more likely to be barrel aged. That wood contact lends Pinot Gris a more waxy mouthfeel, plus flavours of bread and honeysuckle.
Sweet Gewürztraminer
If you like Riesling there is a good chance you’ll also be a fan of Gewürztraminer. What sets Gewürztraminer apart is a distinctive spicy cinnamon-like flavour and sometimes a touch of bitterness. Gewürztraminer also has a unique aroma of lychee and rose petals.
Moscato
Moscato is almost exclusively a dessert wine, very fruity, but with a signature grapefruit aroma. Moscato tends not to be very acidic, making it popular with fans of tropical fruit flavours like ripe pear, orange blossom, lemonade and honeysuckle.
Crisp white wines
Riesling
Fruity white wines
Sauvignon Blanc
While sometimes acidic Sauvignon Blanc leans towards tropical fruits like l passionfruit, guava, and hints of fresh grass. The cooler growing conditions in the South Island promote stronger, more vibrant fruit flavours.
Chardonnay
For a more light-bodied, fruitier Chardonnay, look for one produced in a cooler climate like Marlborough or Central Otago.
Riesling
The warmer climates of Nelson make Riesling’s fruity flavours explode. Plenty of ripe stone fruit and citrus blossom.
Red wine shopping guide
You may be surprised to learn that the juice from many red grapes is actually clear. The red colours you find in your wine bottle can come from leaving the pressed grape juice in contact with the grape skins.
Red wine is home to a variety of flavours, ranging from delicate to incredibly rich and robust. In addition to the different flavours, red wines also contain a compound called tannin. Tannin is the product that provides the astringent character in black tea and will make the wine 'taste' bigger and fuller in your mouth.
Dry red wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be a more acidic wine, and quite high in tannins, which means it’s ideal for putting away and aging. You may find a mix of flavours like blackcurrant, black cherry and black olive.
Merlot
Bottled on it’s own or combined in a blend, Merlot is a popular dry red wine varietal in New Zealand. Merlot is commonly grown in the Hawke’s Bay, Auckland and Marlborough where many producers try to maintain it’s natural acidity with red fruit flavours and leafy aromas.
Cabernet Franc
Slightly lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is a varietal most commonly grown for blending. It’s contribution to wine is a peppery aroma that can also include raspberry, capsicum and violet.
Sweet red wines
Rosé
The lighter, pink colour of Rosé is usually because the grape juice has had less contact with the rich, red grape skins. Rosé wine can be made using almost any red wine grapes, but the way Rosé is produced preserves more of the sweetness and freshness of the wine.
Dornfelder
This German red wine variety is very popular in Europe but not commonly found in New Zealand. This sweeter red wine is known for aromas of cherries, fresh blackberries and spiced herbs.
Black Muscat
A unique grape hybrid with an interesting flavour. Black Muscat can offer you toffee apple, candy floss, cinnamon and rose petal.
Full bodied red wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
One of the most intensely flavoured, as well as world’s most popular wines. Almost 90% of New Zealand’s Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in Hawke’s Bay and Auckland.
Cabernet Franc Merlot
A blended Bordeaux style wine with a bold body and flavour. The Merlot grapes bring in flavours of mulberries, plum and dark berries. The Cabernet Franc adds largely to the aroma, usually with herbal notes or a touch of green capsicum.
Shiraz and Syrah
More commonly produced in warmer regions like Auckland, Northland and Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand’s Shiraz and Syrah is well known for its spicy flavours. Think cracked black pepper over rich plums and dark stone fruits.
Durif
Most commonly produced in Australia, Durif is also known as ‘Petite Syrah.’ This grape was created as the result of cross pollination, and has many of the flavours and characteristics you’d find in Syrah.
Lighter bodied red wines
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir grapes favour the South Island, and even then, different soils means you’ll find a range of flavours. Common to all New Zealand Pinot Noir’s is a textural mouthfeel and intense fruit-driven flavours.
Sangiovese
Another Italian wine varietal making a comfortable home in New Zealand. You’ll find rich cherry and plum, along with interesting savoury and spicy notes.
Tempranillo
This robust Spanish wine variety is renowned for its earthy tones, a chewy texture, and rich spiced fruit flavours.
Gamay Noir
Difficult to find in New Zealand as it’s only made by a tiny number of producers, but it’s worth the hunt. You’ll be rewarded with a juicy, bright wine packed with blueberry, raspberry and cherry flavours.
Montepulciano
Another quite tannic wine variety, making Montepulciano an ideal pairing with lamb or venison. Think dried herbs, with a hit of sour cherry and plum along with some red berries.
Sparkling wine guide
Sparkling wines are made throughout the world and the most famous are from the Champagne region in France. Of course, to be called ‘Champagne,’ the sparkling wine must be produced in that popular French region. As a result, you can find a number of very enjoyable sparkling wines without the premium 'Champagne' brand.
Read the sparkling wine guide here
Prosecco
This is another location based name, from the Prosecco region of Italy. Prosecco tends to be one of the more sweeter sparkling wines, and it’s larger bubbles make it a popular addition to cocktails.
Sekt
This German variety of sparkling wine is known for low-sweetness and low-alcohol. It contains very fruity flavours like apples and pears and is balanced with a natural acidity.
Rosé
Of course, Rosé can be a still wine, but it’s a crowd pleaser in its sparkling, bubbly form. New Zealand produces a number of delicious sparkling Rosé’s, with popular flavours including strawberry, rose petal and honeydew.
Brut
Of course, almost any wine can be made bubbly with a little carbonation. The term ‘Brut’ refers to the style of wine production rather than the type of grape used. Brut is the most popular form of sparkling wine because it’s dry with just a hint of sweetness.
Sec and Demi-Sec
Like Brut, Sec and Demi-Sec are labels commonly found on sparkling wine bottles to tell you how sweet or dry the wine is. Sec and Demi-Sec sparkling wines are sweeter than their Brut cousins, and are often drunk with dessert.
Rosé wine guide
Rosé is the ultimate anytime, anywhere wine. Light, sweet and fruity yet crispy.
Read the rose wine guide here.
Sweet, dessert & aromatic wine guide
When you’re looking for a fragrant, fruity wine with sweet flavours and a gorgeous aroma, chances are a sweet, dessert or aromatic wine is best for you.
Let’s explore how these wines taste, and how to serve them to create the best drinking experience. Read the sweet wine guide here.
Red wine blends guide
Why choose one grape when you can have the best of a bunch? Discover rich, complex and perfectly balanced red blends.
Lower or reduced alcohol wines guide
Whether you're cutting back, skipping alcohol altogether, or just looking for a lighter option, low and zero-alcohol wines let you enjoy the flavours you love, without the extra booze.
From crisp whites to vibrant reds and refreshing bubbles, we’ve rounded up some great options in store and online.
Fine and vintage wines guide
Discerning when it comes to wine? Or perhaps you’re simply after a treat, or something to celebrate a special life moment?
Whether you’re looking for a fine wine to cellar, or a special bottle to enjoy right now, our selection of vintage wines has something for every wine lover. Let’s delve into how to find the right fine wine for your taste.
Wines from sweet to dry
Sweet wine retains more sugar after the winemaking process, offering rich, fruitier flavours. Dry wines are crisp and less sugary, with flavours often leaning toward tart, earthy, or mineral notes.
We’ve organised popular New Zealand wine varietals from the sweetest of the sweet to bone-dry, making it easier to find your way around our wine shelves.
How to choose wine
In New Zealand we are simply spoiled for choice with the range of incredible, locally produced wine on offer. Both the varieties of wine grown here, and the sheer number of Kiwi vineyards available mean you have a number of starting points for finding a great wine for any occasion.
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How much does good wine cost?
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Choosing an organic wine
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Use awards to find good wine
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What does vintage mean?
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Wine and food pairing
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