For such a small country, New Zealand has found itself a very clever niche in the wine market. With only 7000ha of vineyards it produces half the volume of wine that Muscadet manages. But it has succeeded by producing distinctive varietals, specialising in grapes like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir that have not been widely successful in other New World regions. Marlborough at the top of the South Island is the largest and most well known wine region - this is the home of Cloudy Bay, where distinctive and exemplary Sauvignon Blancs are produced as well as high quality Chardonnays

Isabel Estate and Dog Point are also both contenders for the Cloudy Bay crown. The arrival of the new vintage of Kiwi Sauvignon at the end of October has now replaced Beaujolias Nouveau as the main wine event at the end of the autumn worldwide.

Today New Zealand is considered as the leading source of Pinot Noir outside Burgundy, with such regions as Martinborough (Alana Estate), Waipara, Central Otago (a craddle of cool-viticulture Pinot- Felton Road, Peregrine Wines ).They all produce wonderfully pure, intense and beautifully balanced Pinot Noirs.