It's hard to believe that New Zealand's deserved popularity and respect, stemming from a meteoric rise through the world's market from a standing start, has a history not much more than thirty years old. From the beginning they set out their collective stall and have concentrated on doing it well rather than doing it cheaply: there isn't really any such thing as an "entry level" New Zealand wine. The first wine to explode onto the scene was a new wave Sauvignon Blanc which still colours the opinions of many UK drinkers. However, NZ is no longer a one-trick pony and several other varieties are now cultivated with enormous success - Pinot Noir in particular is frightening the Burgundians. Waipara Springs' precision is admirable with incisive varietal characters.
