Posts in New Zealand
Southern Hemisphere Collectibles for the Cellar

Bell Hill and Bass Phillip Pinot Noir, Penfolds Grange, Almaviva, Seña, and other site-specific, ageworthy icons from New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and Chile — world-class pedigree at a fraction of comparable Bordeaux or Burgundy prices.

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Exploring the Cooler Side of the Southern Hemisphere

New Zealand Riesling, Australian Chardonnay, and Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from the region's most marginal vineyards, where cooler growing conditions trade power for freshness and precision. Rachael Ryan shares nine selections from Marlborough, Central Otago, Gippsland, Tasmania, the Yarra Valley, and Chile's Maule Valley.

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19 Southern Hemisphere Wines Under $20, from Malbec to Pinotage

Take any of these to a dinner party: 19 wines under $20 from Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa. Entry-level bottlings from top estates like Torbreck, plus Mediterranean varieties from Ricca Terra and old-vine País from Cachapoal.

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New Zealand Pinot Noir: Martinborough, Marlborough, and Central Otago

Rachael Ryan on what ties New Zealand Pinot Noir together—a crystalline purity, cool-climate acidity, and a restraint that recalls Burgundy—across 12 wines from Ata Rangi in Martinborough, Fromm in Marlborough, and Valli's three Central Otago sub-regions.

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Fresh Finds from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa

This month, we'll take a tour of some of my favorite wine regions in the Southern Hemisphere, and there's much to be excited about. From the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of Australia and New Zealand to the iconic Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs that helped redefine the variety, there's something here for every kind of wine drinker.

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Elegance Reimagined: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Australia and New Zealand

If you had to choose grape varieties to define New Zealand and Australia, they would surely be Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, respectively. And with good reason, since both countries have made an indelible mark upon on the wine world with those varieties. In recent years, however, Burgundy enthusiasts increasingly have been turning to the Southern Hemisphere to explore new styles of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With such a wide range of climates and regions across the two countries, there is a style to suit every palate. 

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New Zealand’s Gift to Wine: Sauvignon Blanc

New Zealand’s gift to the wine world is undeniably Sauvignon Blanc, especially that from the Marlborough region, which is located at the north end of the South Island. Steely, rac,y and bursting with a veritable cornucopia of herbaceous and fruit-forward aromas, Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough not only helped to redefine the variety but also put New Zealand on the global wine map–today, almost 90% of New Zealand wine exported to the U.S. is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

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Fan-Favorite from New Zealand Te Whare Ra Is Back!

For the past several weeks, I’ve noticed customers scanning the New Zealand racks, asking the same questions: “Are they back in stock yet? Do you know when they’ll be here?” As the newly minted buyer for the Southern Hemisphere, I was intrigued. What are these Te Whare Ra wines everyone has been asking for?

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Finding Inspiration Across the Globe: K&L Buyers' Top Wine and Spirits Picks

Our Buying team truly comprises some of the most knowledgeable, passionate wine and spirits experts in the biz, and we’re happy to bring you a set of their favorites from across our aisles. From years of traveling and extensive experience in the industry, each buyer represents a wealth of knowledge broadly about wine and spirits, but very deeply about their own regions and categories. If you want to shoot the breeze about soils, talk about best vintages to buy, or just learn what’s new and exciting—they are unparalleled resources! Seek them out on our sales floor or shoot them an email via our Staff Profile page.

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NZ's Ata Rangi Wines Shine at a Dinner with Winemaker Helen Masters

On September 19th and 20th, K&L had the pleasure of welcoming the esteemed and affable winemaker Helen Masters from New Zealand’s Ata Rangi Winery for a memorable tasting series and unique dinner in San Francisco. For an in-depth discussion on Ata Rangi's background and ethos, check out the fantastic write-up by Emma Jenkins, MW for Decanter. Ata Rangi is undeniably one of the top Pinot Noir producers in New Zealand. They were not only recognized in 2010 with the inaugural Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa or "Grand Cru of New Zealand" award, but they've earned a reputation for producing wines that are delightfully approachable, expressively terroir-driven, and remarkably age-worthy. Plus, it's hard not to have a great time around Helen, a true champion of the wine industry and wonderful person!  

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Holiday Buying Guide: Over-Performing Southern Hemisphere Wines for Your Next Party

With Thanksgiving behind us, it's time to gear up for the holiday season. This calls for celebrations, and what's a celebration without wine? At K&L, we've curated a selection of top-notch wines that will impress your guests and help you celebrate the holidays in style. The best part? Quality doesn't have to break the bank. We've discovered a series of remarkable deals from the Southern Hemisphere that will delight your guests and keep your budget intact.

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New Stars and Epic Favorites from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa

Today’s Wine News takes us on a tour of the most exciting producers in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Led by Buyer Thomas Smith, you’ll discover new takes on classic varieties and the winemakers who are making the magic happen.

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