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Historically New Zealand has been famed for being at the extreme other side of the World and sheep carrying rugby players. Then, about fifty years ago Sauvignon Blanc started to be associated with this beautiful country, then not too long after Pinot Noir, then in recent decades Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are making a lot of headway both locally and in the export market. Now New Zealand Winemakers are producing excellent wines from most European grape varieties…..but Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are still the tops, much to do with the ideal maritime climate and many years of trial and error.

New Zealand's wine regions extend over 1000 miles from sub-tropical Northland all the way down to Otago the World's most southerly wine region.

Alexander Hadleigh Wines based in Southampton,Hampshire, UK have to be very honest since they have a big bias for New Zealand Wines since one of the owners Del Taylor originates from that distant land and has lived through the development period as briefly described above. And maybe that’s the reason Alexander Hadleigh Wine Merchants carries such a large and varied selection of New Zealand Wines. The wine series stocked is well represented of both the North and South Island and the wine regions include and in no priority order Marlborough, Otago, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Gisborne, Wairarapa and Auckland.

Marlborough put New Zealand on the international wine stage with its impeccable Sauvignon Blanc back about 40 years. Known as one of New Zealand's most sunny and dry regions combined with its diverse soils enables Marlborough to grow a large range of grape varieties including Pinot Noir and superb Chardonnay.

Pinot Noir is king in the Otago Wine Region with its distinctive mountainous terrain and unique climate also supporting charming and delicious Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Grape vines were first planted in Hawke's Bay in the 1850's, although it produces great Chardonnay, the region which has a lenthy growing season has built up following and international reputation for quality wines made from Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Again because of the long growing season it produces some of New Zealand's best Dessert Wines.

Nelson situated on the top of the South Island has a sheltered and mild coastal climate and its predominant grape varieties are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The regions stony alluvial soils help produce a slightly lighter style of wine, than its near neighbour Marlborough.

Gisborne situated on the East Coast of the North Island approximately halfway between the Country's Capital Wellington and New Zealand's largest city Auckland. It’s New Zealand's third largest wine growing region with Chardonnay being the primary grape variety followed Pinot Gris.

Wairarapa which means "Glistering Waters" in Maori is often seen as a boutique region producing a range of high quality wines from many different grape varities including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah. Wairarapa has two main subregions Gladstone and Martinborough, both producing top of the range Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.

Auckland is a very large and diverse wine region with many subregions with similar volcanic clay rich soils encircled by a maritime climate producing a wide selection grape varieties and styles of wine. Three of Auckland's largest subregions are: West Auckland well known for its Chardonnay and Merlot. Waiheke an island famed for its Cabernet Sauvignon blends and Italian style blends. Matakana north of Auckland produces fine wines from Pinot Gris and Syrah vines.