It's time to introduce New Zealand's largest and most famous wine region. Marlborough. It can be found in the northeast of the South Island, it is washed by the Cook Strait to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the east. This has a cooling effect which, along with some of the longest sunshine in the country, creates an ideal environment for growing vines.

Location and history of Marlborough

The history of this largest New Zealand wine region dates back to the 19th century. The first vineyards were planted here by European immigrants already at the end of the 19th century. But only from the 70s of the 20th century did the cultivation of wine grow significantly.

Hot days and cooler nights add to the complexity of the fruit grown in Marlborough, especially the daily temperature differences of around 11 degrees during the summer. Thanks to this, the grapes ripen slowly, which ensures intensity and a naturally high acidity; an ideal combination for the production of a delicious Sauvignon Blanc.

Soils in the Wairau Valley and in the wine regions around Blenheim are predominantly free-draining alluvial gravels. The valley is located between the Richmond Ranges to the north and the Wither Hills to the south, which protect it from extreme weather conditions. These two factors make the valley ideal for growing vines. The climate is usually sunny and warm in summer and autumn, leading to a long growing season, and the cool nighttime sea breeze provides the temperature differences needed for good characterful wines.

3 subregions

Three sub-regions can generally be distinguished - South Valley, Wairau and Awatare - and account for about a third of Marlborough's total vineyard area. The Wairau Valley is a river floodplain around the town of Blenheim with deep alluvial gravel soils and river terraces. The South Valley is located in the south and includes the north-facing slopes of the Wither Hills with predominantly glacial loess soils. The Awatere Valley is located to the south-east, around the town of Seddon, with a generally cooler climate.

• Southern Valley

This important sub-region consists of the Omaka, Fairhall, Brancott, Ben Morvan and Waihopai valleys, which wind around the surrounding hills. The soils and interclimate vary but are generally heavier and contain more clay than the Wairau Valley. Further south into the valley it is also cooler and drier. A wide range of varieties is grown here, depending on the advantages of individual locations, with Pinot Noir and aromatic varieties being grown in this area.

• Wairau Valley/Wairau Valley

The old, gravelly soils of the riverbeds and rainfall create numerous intermediate climates in this subregion. Generally, these are cooler and drier inland locations, barren stony locations with early ripening, and coastal locations moderated by sea breezes. The wines in this sub-region reflect the strengths of individual vineyards and winemakers, but all have a characteristic fruity intensity.

• Awatere Valley/ Awatere Valley

The Awatere Valley is the most geographically distinct sub-region, lying south of the Wairau Valley. It stretches inland from the sea and rises towards the inland Kaikoura Mountains. Cooler, drier, windier and somewhat elevated sites with typically lower yields produce bright, aromatic Pinot Noirs and dramatic, expressive Sauvignons.

The most cultivated varieties

Of the total area of ​​27,808 hectares of vineyards in Marlborough, 22,369 hectares are for growing the iconic Sauvignon Blanc. With a big jump, Pinot Noir is grown on an area of ​​2,663 hectares, Pinot Gris accounts for 1,162 hectares and Chardonnay is 1,086 hectares.

We currently have 3 wineries from Marlborough represented on our e-shop - Two Rivers/Black Cottage and Clark Estate .

Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is typical for its distinct aroma, lively, purely fruity, herbal and exotically tropical with a distinct minerality. Those who have already tasted it will surely agree that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is exotic and cannot be compared with, for example, that from France. Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied red wine from this region with aromas of dark cherries and plums, a spicier background and fine tannins. In recent years, aromatic varieties - Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer - have begun to be grown in Marlborough.

 

Source: www.nzwines.com