Mohua Riesling 2010 750ml

Winery: Mohua

Varietal: Riesling

Riesling grapes have produced some of the finest wines of the Old World over the past couple of centuries, and are quickly becoming much loved by New World audiences as their influence continues to spread across the globe. They are generally grown and cultivated in colder climates, as is found in their native Germany, where they have the remarkable ability to pick up and express interesting features of their terroir, or the ground on which they are grown. As such, wine enthusiasts generally find Riesling one of the more interesting white grape varietals, as they produce aromas which are highly floral and perfumed alongside both fruit flavors and refreshing notes of stone and alpine water, depending on where they have been grown. Furthermore, Riesling grapes produce a large variety of fine wines, from still to sparkling, sweet to dry, and wineries which work with this grape have long since been experimenting with both frozen and rotten grapes to find out just how versatile and exciting this varietal can be.

Region: Central Otago

The beautiful region of Central Otago in southern New Zealand has received plenty of attention over recent years, as it ramped up its tourism industry in order to demonstrate its stunning natural beauty to the world. However, fans of interesting and flavorful New World wines have long been familiar with the region, which is renowned for being the most southerly wine region on earth, situated at forty five degrees south. The vineyards of Central Otago benefit enormously from the micro climate created by the impressive mountains which surround it, which provide hot, dry summers and gorgeously balmy autumns. Alongside this, the region features volcanic soils which provide plenty of nutrition to the Pinot Noir grapes, which make up for seventy percent of the vines grown there.

Country: New Zealand

As with nearby Australia, New Zealand has over the past century proven itself to be a superb location for producing high quality wines in vast amounts, with much of the cooler regions of both islands being used primarily for vine cultivation. New Zealand wineries are notable for their enthusiasm in regards to experimentation, and for utilizing modern technologies and methods to make the most of the imported grape varietals which flourish in the rich, fertile soils and oceanic climate. In recent years, it has been the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines which have gained the most attention, as a result of their smoky character and ability to carry the mineral rich nature of the terroir they grow in. Changing consumer interests have brought about a considerable rise in the production of organic and sustainable wines in New Zealand, of which again, the Sauvignon Blanc varietals are leading the way in regards to excellence, flavor and overall character.