What’s hot in wine this summer
Let the New World Wine Awards team show you what’s trending in the wine aisle.
In the same way food trends help us out of the rut of eating the same things every week, following the latest wine trends can give us a nudge towards something new and delicious. Whether you’re new to wine or something of a connoisseur, it’s also helpful to be guided by those in the know, and that’s where the New World Wine Awards come in.
Each year, the awards’ independent panel of expert judges sniff, swirl, sip and assess their way through hundreds and hundreds of different wines to identify the Top 50. These top Gold medalwinning wines, all under $25, are then made available in New World stores nationwide.
Co-chair of Judges Sam Kim says it’s been fascinating to trace the trends over the award’s now 20-year history and see what is most exciting winemakers and wine-lovers at the moment.
He shares his insights and some top, trending wines to try:
Rapid rise to fame - Pinot Gris
It’s hard to imagine a wine list without Pinot Gris, but it’s comparatively new on the New Zealand wine scene – arriving in the 90s, it’s now one of our top three white wine varieties.
Kim believes the wine’s crowd-pleasing fruity flavours and touch of sweetness are responsible for its dramatic rise to fame.
“This year, we also noticed a wider range of Pinot Gris, from light and elegant, to rich and generous.”
From this year’s Top 50, he recommends the Mud House Single Vineyard Home Block Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2021 for a rich, juicy mouthfeel with “oomph” and the Saint Clair Origin Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 for a “versatile, juicy and food-friendly” wine.
Pretty in pink - Rose
The Rosé trend is still going strong.
The New World Wine Awards judges taste-tested more than 175 pink wines this year – 50 per cent more than in 2021!
“Rosé is no longer seen as purely a summer drink,” says Kim. “It’s enjoyed all year round, and becoming more appreciated for how well it matches with food.”
The winning Selaks Taste Collection Berries & Cream Rosé 2022 is exactly what a good Rosé should deliver, says Kim. “It’s light, delicate and refreshing, and you’ll enjoy it from the first sip.”
Or, for a sparkling taste of France at home, try the Grande Cuvée 1531 de Aimery Brut Rosé – perfect for summer celebrations or an early evening cheese platter.
On the comeback - Chardonnay
Kim says Chardonnay has been through several guises to reach this sweet spot.
“There was a time when Chardonnay was very big, oaky and heavy; then the pendulum swung and they became light, with nothing much to them. I think we now have a nice balance, not too heavy, but still with those toasty, oaky flavours and a little bit of creaminess.”
He says the Brancott Estate Letter Series O Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 is one of the most reliable on the market, with just enough oak and creaminess, and a great finish. The Last Shepherd Gisborne Chardonnay 2021 is another great pick, full of ripe stone fruit and citrus zest flavours.
Ravishing reds
Where once there was a clear delineation between reds for winter and whites for summer, Kim says there’s a growing trend to enjoy reds in the warmer months too – often alongside easy meals and BBQs.
The silky texture and fruit purity of the top Pinot Noirs make them a popular choice. The Sugar Loaf Southern Valleys Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 brings the wow factor with its floral aromas and hints of summer berries and ripe plum.
Syrah and Shiraz continue to be popular too, and Kim suggests the Wild Grace Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021 for highly-flavoured meals.
With wine-drinkers’ desire to explore more flavours, this year ’s awards entries also boasted a number of international contenders including varieties like Tempranillo – originally from Spain, Malbec from Argentina, and Sangiovese from Italy. A nice place to start, says Kim, is the Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2021, which is a repeat winner and a great BYO match for summer BBQs.
Timeless classics
Trends are fun, but so is celebrating what you know and love.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has cemented itself as a much-loved favourite here and abroad for good reason, says Kim, and it remains at the very top of shopping lists.
For those after a classic, he suggests two wines that have returned to the New World Wine Awards Top 50 this year, the Wairau River Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and Yealands Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022. “Either would partner perfectly with seafood this summer.”