A total of 60 wines, including 17 new additions, make up the 2017 list which is compiled annually by six of New Zealand's top independent wine experts including Masters of Wine Alastair Maling, Michael Brajkovich, Sam Harrop, Simon Nash and Steve Smith along with Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas.

'The basis of the Fine Wines of New Zealand classification is to recognise enduring excellence. This is the achievement of an outstanding record of excellence by top wineries and wines over an extended period,' says Master of Wine Simon Nash.

Air New Zealand is a patron of the Fine Wines of New Zealand and provides promotional support to the wineries onboard and via its marketing channels.

Air New Zealand Chief Operations Officer Bruce Parton says, 'New Zealand produces some of the best wines in the world and food and wine tourism is a key reason why many international visitors come here. Through this programme, we're supporting winemakers to achieve greater success and chase the highest quality, whether that be through promoting their vineyards and wines to our customers or helping to open up export opportunities offshore.'

Sparkling

  • Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough Brut NV (Marlborough)
  • Deutz Blanc de Blanc Vintage 2014 (Marlborough)
  • Quartz Reef Vintage 2012 (Central Otago)
  • No. 1 Reserve (Marlborough)

Aromatics

  • Felton Road Dry Riesling 2016 (Central Otago)
  • Felton Road Block 1 Riesling 2016 (Central Otago)
  • Misha's Vineyard 'Limelight' Riesling 2014 (Central Otago)
  • Framingham F series Riesling Kabinett 2015 (Marlborough)
  • Johanneshof Cellars Gewürztraminer 2015 (Marlborough)
  • Te Whare Ra Toru SV5182 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Prophet's Rock Pinot Gris 2016 (Central Otago)
  • Dry River Pinot Gris 2016 (Martinborough)
  • Greystone Pinot Gris 2016 (Canterbury)

Sauvignon Blanc

  • Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (Marlborough)
  • Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Saint Clair Reserve Wairau Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Brancott Estate Letter Series B Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Tohu Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Marlborough)

Chardonnay

  • Kumeu River Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay 2015 (Auckland)
  • Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay 2015 (Nelson)
  • Sacred Hill Riflemans Chardonnay 2015 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Dog Point Chardonnay 2014 (Marlborough)
  • Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2015 (Central Otago)
  • Villa Maria Keltern Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Vidal Legacy Chardonnay 2015 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Clearview Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2015 (Hawke's Bay)

Dessert wines

  • Forrest Wines Botrytised Riesling 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Framingham Wines Noble Riesling 2016 (Marlborough)
  • Framingham Wines 'F' Gewürztraminer 2015 (Marlborough)
  • Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (Marlborough) Pinot Noir
  • Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2014 (Central Otago)
  • Burn Cottage Pinot Noir 2015 (Central Otago)
  • Rippon 'Tinker's Field' Pinot Noir 2013 (Central Otago)
  • Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2013 (Canterbury)
  • Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2014 (Martinborough)
  • Dry River Pinot Noir 2014 (Martinborough)
  • Craggy Range Aroha 2015 (Martinborough)
  • Kusuda Pinot Noir 2014 (Martinborough)
  • Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir 2014 (Martinborough)
  • Auntsfield Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 (Marlborough)
  • Lowburn Ferry Home Block Pinot Noir 2014 (Central Otago)
  • Mount Edward Morrison Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014 (Central Otago)
  • Greystone Pinot Noir 2014 (Canterbury)
  • Valli Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 (Central Otago)

Syrah

  • Craggy Range Le Sol 2015 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2015 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Bilancia La Collina Syrah 2014 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Te Mata Estate Bullnose Syrah 2015 (Hawke's Bay)

Bordeaux style

  • Te Mata Estate Coleraine 2015 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Craggy Range Sophia 2015 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Esk Valley The Terraces 2015 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Stonyridge Vineyard Larose 2015 (Auckland)
  • Church Road Tom 2014 (Hawke's Bay)
  • Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels 'The Gimblett' 2015 (Hawke's Bay)

Visit finewines.nz for more details on the Fine Wines of New Zealand.

Ends
Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs ph +64 21 747 320

Air New Zealand Limited published this content on 16 June 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 21 June 2017 02:55:09 UTC.

Original documenthttps://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/press-release-2017-fine-wines-selection-unveiled-for-2017

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