Marlborough Region
Marlborough, New Zealand, though pocket-sized when compared with other internationally renowned wine regions, is enormous in reputation; the quality of its signature Sauvignon Blanc is unparalleled. The key to Marlborough’s success lies in the diversity of its terroirs – that combination of soils, climate, geography and other factors whose interaction make a region’s wines unique – enabling the production of highly individualised styles.
Marlborough’s blazing blue skies and plentiful sunshine are a famed tourist magnet – but they’re also indicative of a climate perfectly suited to viticulture. The variation in diurnal temperature is one of Marlborough’s significant attributes – nights are typically at least 10°C cooler than daytimes during the growing season, resulting in grapes with high levels of fruit acids and varietal flavours.
Important, too, are such features as the characteristic dry spells – allowing the fruit to remain on the vine further into the autumn without risking an increase in the incidence of fungal diseases – and the sheer variability of soil types.
Whilst Marlborough has become synonymous with truly outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, its perfect wine-growing attributes also allow other varietals to shine; great English wine writer, Oz Clarke, points out that the region produces “superb aromatics like Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris; a regional, elegant Chardonnay style, fine Methode Traditionelle and award-winning Pinot Noir”.Links:
Marlborough Wine Research Center