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Marlborough Wine Country
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When the first Marlborough vines
were planted in 1973 few people predicted that the region would become New
Zealand's largest and best known winegrowing area in little more than 20
years. The distinctive pungency and zesty fruit flavours of the first wines
captured the imagination of the country's winemakers and wine drinkers alike
and sparked an unparalleled boom in vineyard development. |
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Worldwide interest
in Marlborough wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, has continued to fuel
that regional wine boom. The free-draining, alluvial loams over gravelly
subsoils in the Wairau and Awatere River valleys provides ideal growing
conditions. Abundant sunshine with cool nights and a long growing season
helps to build and maintain the vibrant fruit flavours for which Marlborough
is now famous. Sauvignon Blanc is the most planted grape variety with
Chardonnay in second place, followed by Pinot Noir and Riesling. Sauvignon
Blanc may be the star but Marlborough has also earned an enviable reputation
for Méthode Traditionelle sparkling wines as well as a wide range of both
white and red table wines. |
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