New Zealand; a world beyond Sauvignon Blanc

New Zealand may be tiny in terms of world wine production but it's had a huge impact on the world of wine. Pioneers of sustainable grape growing, New Zealand wines are some of the most responsibly produced on the planet. Join us for an evening tasting dedicated to the vinous pleasures of this clean, green, pleasant land.

You can't have missed the UK's Sauvignon Blanc revolution spearheaded by New Zealand's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. We'll take some time to understand the subtleties of this vibrant, vivacious wine style and explore how talented winemakers are starting to tease out regional characteristics that make their wines stand out from the crowd.

However, those in the know, know that there's much more to the New Zealand wine story than just Marlborough and Sauvignon Blanc. From the top of the North Island to the lesser know regions on the cooler South Island there's a real buzz and excitement about a whole new wave of wines including elegant and fragrant white wines made from grapes such as Pinot Gris and Riesling. Regions such as Hawkes Bay have cemented their reputation as capable of producing world class wines, where the sacred Gimblett Gravels create powerful red wines from grape varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Finally, you can't leave New Zealand without taking a look at their Pinot Noir. The Kiwi's claim their Pinot's rival Burgundy in terms of elegance and finesse. Pinot Noir is grown across New Zealand from Martinborough on the North Island to Central Otago in the south, the world's most southerly wine region. Does New Zealand Pinot Noir rival that of Burgundy?....tonight you get to decide as we explain the similarities and the differences.