Felton Road Riesling Bannockburn 2011 750ml

Winery: Felton Road

Varietal: Riesling

Riesling grapes have been grown in and around central Europe for centuries, and over time, they became the lasting symbol of south Germany's ancient and proud wine culture. Whilst the reputation of German wines abroad has in the past been mixed, the Germans themselves take an enormous amount of pride in their wineries, and Riesling grapes have now spread around the globe, growing anywhere with the correct climate in which they can thrive. Riesling grape varietals generally require much cooler climatic conditions than many other white grapes, and they are generally considered to be a very 'terroir expressive' varietal, meaning that the features and characteristics of the terroir they are grown on comes across in the flavors and aromas in the bottle. It is this important feature which has allowed Riesling wines to be elevated into the category of 'fine' white wines, as the features of the top quality bottles are generally considered to be highly unique and offer much to interest wine enthusiasts.

Region: Central Otago

New Zealand is a fascinating wine country, with a history which began no more than two hundred years ago with the arrival of European settlers. Of all New Zealand wine regions, perhaps the most interesting and alluring is that of Central Otago, the world's most southerly wine region, situated at forty five degrees south of the equator. Shielded by mountains, Central Otago enjoys a very favourable micro climate, which protects the vineyards from the harsh, oceanic features noticed nearer the coast. Alongside this, the region enjoys highly fertile volcanic soils, which produce strong, healthy and juicy grapes, packed full of the features of their terroir. By far and away, the most common grape varietal of Central Otago is the Pinot Noir, which makes up for over seventy percent of the vines grown in the region, and has been the primary grape in almost all of the region's most loved and critically acclaimed wines.

Country: New Zealand

New Zealand has consistently impressed over the past few decades, with many proclaiming this southern country as being the 'pearl' of the New World wine locations. One of the key attributes of New Zealand wines is their wonderful fruit-forward flavors, which make them a favorite with newcomers to wine, as they manage to be deliciously drinkable without posing many challenges. That isn't to say there is little complexity or interesting features to their wines, as one can easily discover through the fantastic range of wines available – from smoky and mineral rich Sauvignon Blancs, to juicy and plummy Pinot Noirs and the beautiful Bordeaux style wines sourced from the excellent Auckland region. New Zealand wineries clearly have a dedication to quality alongside quantity, and such zeal and expertise is quickly helping them become established as world leaders in regards to both domestic sales and exported wines.