Wither Hills Pinot Gris 750ml

Winery: Wither Hills

Varietal: Pinot Gris

The rise in popularity of Pinot Grigio (also known as Pinot Gris) wines over the past decade has led to this particular grape varietal being planted in many countries around the world in enormous quantities. These grapes range in color from grayish blue to lilac and amber, and with many shades in between. However, they are most prized for their wide range of flavors and aromas, and their relatively high level of 'transparency', or the ability to put across elements of their terroir in the bottle. The Pinot Grigio varietal also has a relatively high natural sugar content, which means that wineries have plenty of scope when it comes to processing their juices, resulting in semi-sweet Pinot Grigio wines, or very lean, crisp and dry examples depending on how much fermentation has been allowed.

Region: Marlborough

Although most commonly associated with excellent Sauvignon Blanc wines, the Marlborough region of New Zealand has also consistently proven that it is capable of growing extremely high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals, thus helping the country's wine industry grow in size and range. The region is an exceptionally good one for growing excellent grapes, the climatic conditions allow wineries to extend the ripening times of the fruit, and the result is fruit which is packed full of bright, strong flavors and able to express the finer features of the terroir it grows on. Since the 1970s, Marlborough has greatly impressed the world with its superb wines, and this special region now accounts for over sixty percent of the area of New Zealand under vine.

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.