New zeal in New Zealand

Following our recent New Zealand features here on Purple pages – see How NZ can trounce the best and New Zealand broadens its appeal - here is a closer look at that country's non-Sauvignon horizons. This growing portfolio of varietals and styles is a welcome fillip for New Zealand, which was perhaps becoming over-reliant on its famous Sauvignon Blanc, risking loss of market share to competitors (especially South Africa and Chile), possible consumer weariness and, with the glut vintages of 2008 and 2009, decreasing profitability.

The bulk of notes below are on Chardonnays and Syrahs, but there are some more...