Do you enjoy intense, flavourful, aromatic white wines with undertones that can range from herbal to fruity to earthy and mineral-rich? If so, New Zealand’s world-famous sauvignon blanc is a variety you’ll want to include on your menu soon. We recommend enjoying it with fish, herbed chicken, vegetable or pasta salads and a range of fruit dishes including strawberry sorbet.
Sauvignon blanc is gaining in popularity around the world, and New Zealand winemakers are at the forefront of the trend. Sauvignon blanc imports to the USA from New Zealand were up 24 percent year-over-year as of 2016. New Zealand wine is also being exported to Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, France, Sweden, Germany, Latvia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, the Netherlands, South Korea and many other destinations around the globe. Indeed, sauvignon blanc is the crown jewel in New Zealand’s rise to prominence on the international wine-making scene.
But did you know that you cannot actually get your hands on many of New Zealand’s best Sauvignon Blancs and other wines without actually coming here to sample them in person?
It’s true. This is because some of our top wines are experimental, and they are not being made in large enough batches to be easily exported. Many of the New Zealand wines that are being produced and exported in bulk are passably good, but they aren’t necessarily the best this country has to offer.
The main takeaway: If you’re serious about wanting to experience the most spectacular New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs and other wines, you’re really going to want to travel to Marlborough and our other wine-producing regions in person.
Savvy wine connoisseurs are flocking here in droves to sample wines and expand their personal collections. The local New Zealand wineries are responding to the demand in a variety of ways. Many are adding restaurants where wine enthusiasts can experience superb culinary pairings and an atmosphere conducive to epicurean enjoyment. Some are even offering luxury sailing cruises that incorporate wine tasting opportunities. If you enjoy fine cuisine paired with delicious wines, we hope you’ll consider taking advantage of an abundance of opportunities to travel to New Zealand and experience our exquisite elixirs for yourself.
What’s On in 2017 – 2018: Calendar of Events in New Zealand for Wine Connoisseurs
Foodies and wine enthusiasts gather frequently in New Zealand to enjoy fine wines, hearty microbrews and stimulating entertainment. The following list of events will give you insights into some upcoming New Zealand food and wine festivals and other happenings you won’t want to miss out on:
New Zealand’s Best Wine Tours
Dates: Ongoing: Pick the dates that best suit your calendar in 2017, 2018 or beyond.
Location: New Zealand’s wine producing regions: Marlborough, Auckland and numerous others
Air New Zealand Wine Awards
Wondering which New Zealand wines you’ll want to sample in 2017 – 2018? Keep your eyes on the results of this competition to find out which wines the critics are proclaiming as the country’s up-and-coming best.
Dates: Judging for the competition takes place on October 16 – 18, 2017; results of the competition will be announced on November 1, 2017. Numerous wine tastings will take place in various locations throughout New Zealand in November, 2017.
F.A.W.C. — The Food and Wine Classic
This ten-day food and wine festival includes a marketplace plus 75 different foodie events to tempt your palate.
Dates: November 3 – 12, 2017
Location: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Tairua Wine and Food Festival 2018
This school fundraiser features a tempting medley of wine, beer, New Zealand produce, arts and crafts, music and family-friendly entertainment.
Date: January 6, 2018
Location: Tairua, New Zealand
The Marlborough Wine and Food Festival
Enjoy a fun-filled day of cooking demonstrations, celebrity chef sightings, wine-making classes and entertainment in New Zealand’s world-famous Marlborough region.
Date: February 10, 2018
Location: Brancott Vineyard in Blenheim, New Zealand
International Sauvignon Blanc Day
If you want to taste some of the world’s best sauvignon blanc wines, this is an event you will not want to miss out on.
Date: May 4, 2018
Location: New Zealand’s Marlborough wine-producing region
Want to experience any of these festivals here in New Zealand? We’d be delighted to help you customise a travel itinerary that includes a variety of sumptuous wine tasting events and fine dining opportunities.
If wine tasting is the activity you put at the top of your to-do list when traveling, perhaps you would be interested in joining us for 15-day wine tours that will introduce you to eight of New Zealand’s most distinctive wine producing regions including Marlborough, Auckland and others.
If you’d prefer to ensure your travel itinerary includes a variety of different wine tasting opportunities and other activities, perhaps you’d enjoy customising a private guided tour that includes stops at a variety of destinations; take your pick of wineries, restaurants, beaches, lakes, forests, mountains, shopping centers or museums. Get in touch soon to get started planning the ultimate wine connoisseur’s vacation in New Zealand.
