
New Zealand, Italy
The New Zealand wine industry is one of the younger wine regions in the world, whose popularity grew immensely when Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc hit the world wine scene, quite unique in style when compared to the typical French Sancerre.
Wine is successfully cultivated on both the North and South islands from a latitude of 36 degrees in the North to 45 degrees for the most southerly wine region in the world, the south Island's Central Otago. The majority of regions are located in free-draining alluvial valleys except for Waiheke Island and Kawarau Gorge in Central Otago and benefit from the moderating effect of the maritime climate as no vineyard is more than 80 miles from the ocean. With plentiful sunshine hours and cool evening sea breezes, the grapes thrive.
Sauvignon Blanc is the major white variety people will think of when you mention New Zealand Whites, however fantastic Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and less commonly Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Blanc. Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red variety in New Zealand although Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (Bordeaux Blends), Syrah are also grown and in even smaller amounts, Tempranillo and Montepulcianos can too be found. Sparkling wines of very high standards are also made in New Zealand.
The key wine regions in New Zealand include Auckland, Canterbury, Central Otago, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough and Nelson.
Italy has some of the oldest wine production methods in the world and almost every part of the country is planted under vine. From the Alps in the north to the very southernmost parts of Sicily where Africa is almost in sight, wine is successfully cultivated. In addition to the latitude covered, Italy's many mountains and hills provide a plethora of altitudes for grape growing in various soils and micro-climates. The extensive coastlines along the peninsula that is Italy provide maritime climates for the coastal wine-growing areas. Over 350 grape varieties are 'authorised' in Italy, though up to 550 varieties are thought to be grown.
The classification system of Italian wines has four classes, with the intention of defining a wine's origin a quality. Two of these classes are table wines, whilst DOC and DOCG fall under the EU quality wine produced in a specific region category. Vino da Tavola (VDT) means that the wine comes from Italy. Most of these wines are generally basic table wines that are consumed domestically. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denotes a more specific region within Italy, and the resultant will be of higher quality than simple table wines, but won't conform to the rules required for higher certification. Both Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) are regionally more specific than IGT, and have stricter rules regarding the grape varieties grown, yields per hectare, minimum alcohol levels and so on. The major difference between DOC and DOCG is that the latter has to undergo a blind-tasting session to ensure the highest quality is achieved. Italy has 32 DOCG appelations, 311 DOC appelations and 120 IGT zones.
Key regions include Piedmont, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto, Sicily and Sardinia. Common white varieties grown are Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Vermentino, Verdicchio, Fiano and Moscato. The red varieties grown the most are Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Nero d'Avola and Corvina.
Wine is successfully cultivated on both the North and South islands from a latitude of 36 degrees in the North to 45 degrees for the most southerly wine region in the world, the south Island's Central Otago. The majority of regions are located in free-draining alluvial valleys except for Waiheke Island and Kawarau Gorge in Central Otago and benefit from the moderating effect of the maritime climate as no vineyard is more than 80 miles from the ocean. With plentiful sunshine hours and cool evening sea breezes, the grapes thrive.
Sauvignon Blanc is the major white variety people will think of when you mention New Zealand Whites, however fantastic Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and less commonly Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Blanc. Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red variety in New Zealand although Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (Bordeaux Blends), Syrah are also grown and in even smaller amounts, Tempranillo and Montepulcianos can too be found. Sparkling wines of very high standards are also made in New Zealand.
The key wine regions in New Zealand include Auckland, Canterbury, Central Otago, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough and Nelson.
Italy has some of the oldest wine production methods in the world and almost every part of the country is planted under vine. From the Alps in the north to the very southernmost parts of Sicily where Africa is almost in sight, wine is successfully cultivated. In addition to the latitude covered, Italy's many mountains and hills provide a plethora of altitudes for grape growing in various soils and micro-climates. The extensive coastlines along the peninsula that is Italy provide maritime climates for the coastal wine-growing areas. Over 350 grape varieties are 'authorised' in Italy, though up to 550 varieties are thought to be grown.
The classification system of Italian wines has four classes, with the intention of defining a wine's origin a quality. Two of these classes are table wines, whilst DOC and DOCG fall under the EU quality wine produced in a specific region category. Vino da Tavola (VDT) means that the wine comes from Italy. Most of these wines are generally basic table wines that are consumed domestically. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denotes a more specific region within Italy, and the resultant will be of higher quality than simple table wines, but won't conform to the rules required for higher certification. Both Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) are regionally more specific than IGT, and have stricter rules regarding the grape varieties grown, yields per hectare, minimum alcohol levels and so on. The major difference between DOC and DOCG is that the latter has to undergo a blind-tasting session to ensure the highest quality is achieved. Italy has 32 DOCG appelations, 311 DOC appelations and 120 IGT zones.
Key regions include Piedmont, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto, Sicily and Sardinia. Common white varieties grown are Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Vermentino, Verdicchio, Fiano and Moscato. The red varieties grown the most are Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Nero d'Avola and Corvina.
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- Giesen's Estate Chardonnay is wine that's very approachable in youth and suitable for any occasion. The fruit is sourced from a premium Hawke’s Bay vineyard, producing a Chardonnay with good fruit intensity and a touch of complexity through lees ... Learn MoreGiesen Chardonnay 2018$10.00 Per item
- Il Villaggio Organico Pinot Grigio is sourced from high altitude vineyards near the Slovenian border, north east of Venice. The combination of altitude, mineral gravel soils and a protected site creates richly flavoured but elegant wines. Andrea Sartori has been ... Learn MoreIl Villaggio Pinot Grigio 2020$14.91 Per item
- Spinning Top Wines reflect the simple pleasures that can be derived from nature. Sourcing the wines from three distinctive Marlborough sub regions (Waihopai, Wairau, Awatere) allows Spinning Top to pinpoint exactly the precise characteristics they wish to reflect. Clean, joyful ... Learn MoreSpinning Top Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020$14.99 Per item
- With a wine history dating back more than 4,000 years and a climate ideally suited to viticulture, Italy is one of the most diverse winemaking countries in the world. Aquilani draws from this diversity and produces Italian wines of regionality and ... Learn MoreAquilani Pinot Grigio 2020$16.89 Per item
- 100% Garganega. Intense bouquet of white blossom, with citrus and nashi pear. Persistent and harmonious flavour, with fresh acidity and a dry finish. Very satisfying. Serve at 10-12ºC. ... Learn MoreMonte Tondo Mito Soave Doc 2021$18.99 Per item
- In Jewish texts, Samael is better known as the ‘Angel of Death.’ It is believed that Samael is both good and evil in that he does the work of God but desires man to do evil. Samael is viewed as ... Learn More
- This wine is a light straw colour with lime hues. The nose explodes from the glass with sweet sherbet, lemon, lime and jasmine aromas. The palate is creamy and refreshingly zingy with lemon, lime acidity. Apples and hints of ripe ... Learn More
- Grapes for this wine were grown in the Ngatapa Valley region of Gisborne district where dry-farming practices have been employed for over 75 years. Post-harvest the grapes and juice were processed with care to maximise fruit flavour and intensity. The resulting ... Learn MoreKopu Gisbourne Pinot Gris 2021$19.99 Per item
- With the same spirit of Nicolo De’Conti, famous Venetian exploratory, this is a unique Puglian red, made with naturally dried grapes drying through a process called Appassimento. A garnet red in colour, the nose is a harmonic and fine ... Learn MoreDe Conti Appassimento 2019$19.99 Per item
- The 2019 Bastioni della Rocca Puglia Appassimento opens with inviting aromatics of sweet cherries and red plums which are woven together with earth, tobacco, grilled herbs and hints of leather. Medium-bodied with a silky texture that gives way to flavors of ... Learn More
- Grapes for this wine were grown in the Ngatapa Valley region of Gisborne district where dry-farming practices have been employed for over 75 years. Post-harvest the grapes and juice were processed with care to maximise fruit flavour and intensity. The resulting ... Learn MoreKopu Gisbourne Pinot Gris 2020$19.99 Per item
- This Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from lower-yielding vineyards on the hillside slopes for greater intensity and whole bunch pressed. The nose is fresh and delicate with restrained aromas of gooseberry and freshly grown grass given complexity by river-stone and white ... Learn MoreBlack Cottage Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021$20.99 Per item
- Bright straw. A concentrated nose of apricot blossom, lemongrass, acacia, sea spray and yellow apple. Rounded in the mouth, the wine repeats the floral notes on the palate but adds in white peach and a bit of lemon zest, with ... Learn MorePoggio Anima Gabriel Pecorino 2020$21.99 Per item
- Soil type is brown clay over limestone. The grapes were handpicked: Zibibbo in mid-August and early September for the Syrah. The Zibibbo was pressed and kept very cold halting fermentation in tank. When the Syrah came in it was quickly ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Raphael' Rosato Sicilia 2020$21.99 Per item
- "In the Book of Tobias, an ancient Hebrew text, Asmodeus is the Demon of Lust. It is said that when Cain killed Abel, Adam and Eve separated for 130 years. During this time, Adam was tempted by Naamah and Lillith, two ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Asmodeus' Nero D'Avola Sicilia 2019$21.99 Per item
- "According to Jewish folklore, Lilith was the first wife of Adam. She was banished from the Garden of Eden when she refused to make herself subservient to Adam’s sexual requests. When she was cast out of the Garden, she ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Lilith' Primitivo Salento 2020$21.99 Per item
- Soil type is brown clay over limestone. The grapes were handpicked: Zibibbo in mid-August and early September for the Syrah. The Zibibbo was pressed and kept very cold halting fermentation in tank. When the Syrah came in it was quickly ... Learn MorePoggio Anima 'Raphael' Rosato Sicilia 2018$21.99 Per item
- Farina is located in San Pietro in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico; the historical and original Valpolicella. Cousins Claudio and Elena own 10 hectares of their own vineyards and source fruit from long standing grower partnerships which encompass a further 70 ... Learn MoreLe Pezze Pinot Grigio 2020$22.99 Per item
- The Man O’ War story begins with a special piece of land rich in history. Located at the eastern end of Waiheke Island, Man O’ War is a stunning array of coastal hillsides with high cliffs and pristine beaches forming ... Learn MoreMan O War Waiheke Island Pinque Rose 2021$22.99 Per item
- Utterly delicious. A wine bursting with crushed red-berry characters. Candy-apple crimson with a lifted confectionery nose of wild strawberries. Shows ripe, juicy cherry and cranberry on the palate, with just a hint of cinnamon and liquorice. As picnic-perfect as berries ... Learn MoreTe Mata Estate Gamay Noir 2021$22.99 Per item
- Sogno Di Ulisse Montepulciano D’Abruzzo is a wine that has made the history of modern Abruzzo wine-making. Ruby red color with purplish reflections. The nose shows layers of plum and red cherry aromas, with blueberry, blackcurrant and savoury red ... Learn MoreSogno Di Ulisse Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Doc 2019$22.99 Per item
- Chianti remains one of the most lauded and long-lived wine regions in Italy specialising in the variety Sangiovese. This wine is sourced from a small grower in Chianti Rufina one of the highest and coolest parts of the region resulting ... Learn MoreMaretti Chianti 2020$22.99 Per item
- Aromatic cherry and blueberry on the nose, which leads into a full fleshy palate of plums, prunes and blackberries entwined with a soft coating of tannin. Fruit was sourced from an 9 year old vineyard on northern aspect from the province ... Learn MoreBabo Nero D'Avola 2018$23.99 Per item
- Aromatic cherry and blueberry on the nose, which leads into a full fleshy palate of plums, prunes and blackberries entwined with a soft coating of tannin. Fruit was sourced from an 9 year old vineyard on northern aspect from the province ... Learn MoreBabo Nero D'Avola 2017$23.99 Per item
- The grapes for this wine come from the vineyards in Central Otago’s Cromwell basin. Tasting Notes Roaring Meg Pinot Gris 2021 is an intense and inviting bouquet of frangipani blossom with nashi pear and fresh ginger. A full and rich ... Learn MoreMt Difficulty 'Roaring Meg' Pinot Gris 2021$24.99 Per item
- Always up there as the finest 2 or 3 Sauvignons in Marlborough every year, Greywacke emphasise ripeness in the vineyard to produce a sophisticated and satisfying style of Sauvignon Blanc. Crafted by former Cloudy Bay founding winemaker Kevin Judd, with able assistance ... Learn MoreGreywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2021$24.99 Per item
- "Our wines are crafted by a professional team of agronomists and oenologists, with worldwide experiences, but deeply rooted in our territory. The diversity and largeness of our terroirs let us extract the best from our partner vineyards." - Cielo e ... Learn More
- The grapes for this wine come from the vineyards in Central Otago’s Cromwell basin. This wine displays delicious very ripe Pinot Gris aromatics reminiscent of a fruit cocktail full of rock melon, pineapple and stonefruit nice detail is added ... Learn MoreMt Difficulty 'Roaring Meg' Pinot Gris 2020$24.99 Per item
- From a single vineyard high above the Tagliamento river, it’s pinot grigio, pure and direct. A fresh nose of subtle stone fruit, spice and a hint of musk. Pure and beautifully layered with flavours of nashi pear and apples. ... Learn MoreMaretti Friuli Pinot Grigio 2020$24.99 Per item
- Made by legendary winemaker Dennis Verdecchia, this “Provencal style” rosé has a very pale powder pink color. Fresh and soft aromas of strawberry, watermelon and pink grapefruit accompanied by pleasant floral notes of rose petals and broom. It stands out ... Learn MoreFarnese Calalenta Rose 2020$25.00 Per item
- Considered to be one of New Zealand's finest producers, Astrolabe have built their reputation on consistently producing exceptional wines. One of my favourite Astrolabe wines is the 2019 Astrolabe Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc. It’s quite a ripe example of the ... Learn MoreAstrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2020$26.00 Per item
- 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon Antica Cinta, literally Old City Walls, refers to the history and the land of Piccini family, its Middle Ages villages as San Giminiano, Castellina and Siena, clustered behind massive stone defensive walls. Antica Cinta pairs a very ... Learn MorePiccini Antica Cinta Chianti Riserva ORO DOCG 2016$26.99 Per item
- Lifted aromas of nashi pear, raspberry, red apple and white florals. The nose follows through to the palate with the same flavours along with savoury undertones which are balanced by fine, supple texture and lingering minerality. Enjoyable to drink now ... Learn MoreTe Whare Ra Pinot Gris 2020$26.99 Per item
- Shows distinctive Awatere characters of elderflower, guava, white currant, lemongrass and passion fruit coupled with lovely ripe tropicals and hints of basil and lime from Wairau components. The nose follows through to the palate - which is fine and soft ... Learn MoreTe Whare Ra Sauvignon Blanc 2020$26.99 Per item
- Classic strong citrus characters with lemon and grapefruit prominent, complimented by elderflowers, with smoky and flinty undertones. A juicy and vibrant palate of pure citrus flavours leaving a lengthy finish with refreshing, balanced acidity. Ideally enjoyed as a young wine, ... Learn MoreDog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2020$26.99 Per item
- Sourced from the Southern Valleys with some fruit from the Awatere Valley. This Pinot Noir went through 100% stainless steel fermentation and was hand plunged. This brought out the perfumed berry fruit as well as increasing the silky mouthfeel of the ... Learn MoreBlack Cottage Pinot Noir 2020$26.99 Per item
- Peachy fragrance with fresh, floral aromas. Great vibrancy, texture and balance with a creamy mouth feel and notes of pear skin, nectarine and citrus. The finish is clean and crisp without being excessively dry. Fruit is sourced from a young ... Learn MoreBabo Prosecco Nv$26.99 Per item
- Floral and pear aromas with fig and date dried fruits leading to nice nutty notes in the background. The fresh pear and floral flavours highlight a lively and textured mid palate, before a dry saline tone brings back the nutty ... Learn MoreChard Farm Pinot Gris 2019$28.00 Per item
- Has the aromatic spice and weight of Gewurztraminer, the structure and length of Riesling, and the great texture of Pinot Gris in a perfectly balanced 75%/16%/9% blend. It is a delicious, co-fermented field blend from a single vineyard. This 2021 Toru has ... Learn MoreTe Whare Ra Single Vineyard 5182 Toru 2021$29.99 Per item
- 2021 was one of the best vintages in the Wairau Valley in recent years and this wine truly reflects that. Vibrant, fresh lemon and grapefruit, ripe stone and tropical fruits and a floral element on the nose. Highly aromatic, as is ... Learn MoreDog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2021$29.99 Per item