Canterbury
Main grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay
Sub-regions: Waipara Valley, Canterbury Plains, Waitaki Valley (much further South)
Climate: Rainfall in Canterbury is very low – courtesy of the Southern Alps (yes, New Zealand has the Alps too – who knew?!). Consequently, there is abundant sunshine and summers are typically warm, with hot, dry nor’wester winds. Even so, the heat doesn’t reach particularly high levels due to the cooling breezes blown in from the sea too, and any drought risk is reduced by irrigation.
You should know… Canterbury is on the same latitude as Tuscany, so all in all it has a relatively cool climate – which is perfect for producing the elegant, balanced wines the region is famed for. Canterbury spans nearly 200km from Cheviot in the north to Waitmate in the south along the South Island’s coastline. Of the sub-regions Waipara Valley is likely the most renowned given that it has received great critical acclaim for the distinctive sub-regional expression found in its wines.
Sub-regions: Waipara Valley, Canterbury Plains, Waitaki Valley (much further South)
Climate: Rainfall in Canterbury is very low – courtesy of the Southern Alps (yes, New Zealand has the Alps too – who knew?!). Consequently, there is abundant sunshine and summers are typically warm, with hot, dry nor’wester winds. Even so, the heat doesn’t reach particularly high levels due to the cooling breezes blown in from the sea too, and any drought risk is reduced by irrigation.
You should know… Canterbury is on the same latitude as Tuscany, so all in all it has a relatively cool climate – which is perfect for producing the elegant, balanced wines the region is famed for. Canterbury spans nearly 200km from Cheviot in the north to Waitmate in the south along the South Island’s coastline. Of the sub-regions Waipara Valley is likely the most renowned given that it has received great critical acclaim for the distinctive sub-regional expression found in its wines.