New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026 (Real Review Awards Explained)

Are there wines you don’t buy because you don’t know it?

“I recently had a conversation with three wine drinkers who were open to trying something different. I recommended a few wines they had never heard of — and they loved them. But the thing that stuck with me was they said: ‘I’d never buy that because I don’t know what it is.’” This was the catalyst for this episode as I figure if one person is in this boat there must be others. Cheat sheet (basics and most commonly found in NZ) Loire white Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, Pouilly Fume/ Chenin Blanc (Vouvray) Loire Red Cabernet Franc (Chinon) Bordeaux White Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon Bordeaux Red Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blends Rhône reds Syrah (North) Grenache (South/ Côtes du Rhône) Rioja Tempranillo with Grenache and other local reds Ribera del Duero Tempranillo with Merlot/ Cabernet La Mancha/ Castilla Mainly Tempranillo/ Grenache Jumilia Monastell (the M in GSM part of the Côtes du Rhône which also leans to this blend) Piedmont Nebbiolo (Barolo/ Barbaresco) Barbera and dolcetto Valipolicella Classico (local red variety blend tastes similar to Pinot) Valpolicella Amarone ( same blend as Classico but more concentrated almost port like) Valpolicella Ripasso (half way between both Chianti (Sangiovese like Merlot/Cabernet) Montepulciano if it says di Abruzzo it is Montepulciano plump like Merlot. If it says Nobile di Montepulciano (if it doesn’t say Abruzzo) it is Sangiovese and tends to be a little lighter but more structure Sicily (Nero d’Avola) Puglia/ Salento (Primitivo/ Negroamaro) Shiraz like #wine #wineeducation #winegeek #winelover

What’s Next for New Zealand Wine? What’s the next big Wine Style for NZ?

w

Why Does Wine Cost So Much? The Truth Behind the Price

Why Does Wine Cost So Much? The Truth Behind the Price

Is Price the most important parameter for value wine?

value

Can the Marlborough Wine Region be a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Could a New Zealand Wine Region REALLY achieve this? It isn’t as implausible as you may think