New Zealand’s Wine Future Bright and Red

While everyone loves Sauvignon, other varieties are eclipsing the perennial star of New Zealand’s show. There is a quiet revolution going on in New Zealand wine and, for once, Sauvignon Blanc is not at the center of the story. The announcement of the gold-medal winners for the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, the country’s top wine competition, proved that, as far as quality is concerned, Pinot Noir rules the roost. Despite making up a little more than 8 percent of the country’s plantings, Pinot Noir accounted for 17 out of 91 gold medals awarded, with Sauvignon Blanc second with 14 golds and Chardonnay picking up 13.