US wine magazine puts NZ at top of region list

A leading US wine magazine has named New Zealand its wine region of the year.

Wine Enthusiast said that with a near-sweep of its summer sauvignon blanc tasting feature, New Zealand had leaped to the top of its list of premier wine regions.

However, the reasons for honouring New Zealand went beyond sales growth and critically acclaimed sauvignon blanc.

"When examining the New Zealand wine industry, broader themes emerge, encompassing such important concepts as innovation, consistency, diversity and value. In 2002, no other region of the world offered as much in all of these areas as New Zealand."

The magazine said consistency was not limited to sauvignon blanc - "the country's hallmark grape variety".

With its warmer growing season, Hawkes Bay was also known for its red wines, said the magazine, which has an average circulation of 102,000 and a total readership of more than 550,000.

- NZPA