IVWA 2010: Best of New Zealand

Hooray for New Zealand! As Argentina continues to be weighed down by malbec, and Australia drowns in budget shiraz, New Zealand has avoided being pigeonholed as simply sauvignon blanc country and flourishes as a well-rounded player in today’s market. Judges were excited to see which Central Otago pinot noir would show best, and were quite pleased having pinot gris, riesling and syrah all standing shoulder to shoulder in quality. Adding some great regional variety into the mix has us extending our glasses for more. (Kurtis Kolt)

90 Jackson Estate 2009 Stich Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $20-$22

90 Spy Valley 2009 Pinot Gris, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $20-$26

89 Rabbit Ranch 2007 Pinot Noir, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand $25-$27

89 Giesen 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $16-$18

89 Spy Valley 2009 Pinot Noir, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $22-$32

89 Sileni Estates 2009 Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $16-$22

88 Babich 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $19-$22

88 Ngatarawa 2007 Silks Syrah, Hawke’s Bay, North Island, New Zealand $23-$27

88 C J Pask 2007 Gimblett Road Syrah, Hawke’s Bay, North Island, New Zealand $18-$20

88 Mount Riley 2009 Pinot Noir, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $22-$25

88 Spy Valley 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $19-$23

88 Wither Hills 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $18-$22

88 Yealands Estate 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $17-$23

88 Sileni Estates 2009 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir, Hawke’s Bay, North Island, New Zealand $15-$23

88 Spy Valley 2009 Riesling, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $18-$23

More results from the Wine Access 2010 International Value Wine Awards