Winemaker Notes
The color is straw yellow. On the nose, there is an abundance of citrus, particularly the orange zest that so defines North Canterbury Rieslings. There are also hints of red apple and apricot, layered with honeysuckle and guava. The extended hang time has added a concentration to the palate, together with ripe phenolics that give structure and length. Despite its body, the wine still has a crisp and refreshing acidity that matches its off-dry finish perfectly.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of ground ginger, lemon curd, crushed thyme and sliced peaches. Medium-bodied and off dry. Articulate and rounded with the sweetness adding definition and depth. Grated nutmeg. Candied lemon and orange peel. Delicious. Drink or hold.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
At the southern end of the North Island about an hour drive from New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington, Wairarapa’s producers are mainly small-scale, lifestyle winemakers. The region holds less than 3% of the country’s acreage under vine but nearly one tenth of its winemakers.
Considering topography, soil and climate, Wairarapa is similar to Marlborough except that it is better at producing Pinot noir. Martinborough is a main subregion.