As we wrap up the year by exploring the very best various regions, grape varieties and spirits can offer, we turn to that South Pacific jewel that is New Zealand.
Unlike many of it's European compatriots, New Zealand continues to offer fantastic wines – the following list are the wines deemed via our aggregated critic scores as the best in the country – at fantastic prices.
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Bar a Bordeaux blend and a Syrah, New Zealand's top offerings tend to be Burgundian in nature, oscillating between Chardonnay for the whites, and Pinot Noir for the reds, with not a single Sauvignon Blanc in sight.
When it comes to everyday drinking wine, Sauvignon Blanc is still very much New Zealand's bread and butter but, in the world of premium wine, it's so far behind in the rearview mirror that not a single Savvy is listed in New Zealand's 25 best wines.
Which does seem surprising as there's a whole world of premium Sauvignon Blanc out there, from Cloudy Bay's barrel-fermented Te Koko to Dog Point's Section 94, which repeatedly score well with the critics. However, perhaps that just goes to show how strong the general competition is – and just how many fantastic wines are coming out of this small island chain.
For the best in the country, the prices are also exceptionally reasonable, especially when compared to the likes of Burgundy or Bordeaux. The most expensive offering on this list is the Bell Hill at $259 which, when compared to Burgundy's equivalent, Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru at $26,307, is an absolute steal.
So which wines have made it onto this year's list and, perhaps more interestingly, which wines have been bumped off from last year's list. It's worth noting that all of the wines listed have a very impressive score of 93 points.
The Best New Zealand Wines on Wine-Searcher:
Leading the pack, having moved up from second-place last year, is Martinborough's Ata Rangi Pinot Noir. Not only has the wine jumped up a place to lead the listing, it has also jumped slightly in price too, increasing from last year's $61 to a still fairly modest $69 this year.
In second place is Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay by Kumea River which has jumped massively from eighth spot last year, although the price has risen slightly from $61 to $66, it's a gentle increase unlike it's meteoric rise through the charts.
Spot number three sees last year's leader Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir which, despite dropping two ranks, has actually increased in price, albeit incrementally, from $72 to $75.
Fourth on the list is another Chardonnay from Kumeu River, this time their Hunting Hill, which has moved two places up from last year. It has also slightly shifted in price from $53 to $57.
Halfway down the list and Bell Hill finally makes an appearance, and – at $259 – it's lavishly priced when compared to its stablemates. Despite dropping two places from last year's list, it's more than made up for it pricewise having considerably scaled up from last year's $182.
Number six sees the first break away from the Burgundian varietals with Te Mata Estate's classic Coleraine, a Bordeaux blend from the Hawke's Bay. Having moved up one spot from last year's seventh place, Coleraine has also seen a fairly impressive price increase from last year's $70 to this year's $87.
Seventh place sees another wine from Ata Rangi, this time their McCrone Block Pinot Noir which was number nine in last year's list. Asides from jumping up two spots, the price has also increased from $57 to $66.
Unlucky number eight is the Block 3 Pinot Noir by Felton Road which has dropped southwards several places from fourth spot last year, however, pricewise it has only gone north from last year's $85 to this year's $98.
In ninth place is the Trinity Hill Homage Syrah which, again, has fallen from last year's fifth place, however, value-wise, it's held the fort and ever so slightly gained on last year's $82 to $84.
Finally, bringing up the rear, is Neudorf's Moutere Chardonnay from sunny Nelson. This wine didn't feature at all on last year's list but this year it bumps off Wanaka's Rippon Tinker's Field Pinot Noir. Available for a very respectable price of $61.
All in all, it is possible to purchase all 10 of New Zealand's best wines for $922 which doesn't come close to buying a single bottle from any of Burgundy's top 10.
Although it's evident that New Zealand does offer some pretty fantastic wines at unbelievable value – as the comparison with last year's list shows – all the prices are slowly but surely on the rise and it is unlikely New Zealand's best offerings will remain forever pegged to those pocket-friendly prices.
However, what remains evident is the love for Burgundian varietals, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc may have a strong everyday game, but when it comes to fine wine – regardless of whether it's from France or the Antipodes – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay remain the Holy Grail.
