
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are also popular. Pinot Noir has become The Next Big Thing from New Zealand. The climate is conducive to the production of high quality, restrained and elegant Pinots, and the market is ready for them. All of this activity represents quite a change from the days when Muller Thurgau dominated the New Zealand wine industry.
Marlborough, on the South Island, is the most important wine growing region in New Zealand, accounting for over half (54%) of all production. The area is dominated by the valley of the Wairau river valley, and the climate is very cool but sunny. The river deposited deep gravel beds, which provide an ideal soil structure for the production of fine wine. Grapes also benefit from a long hang time due to dry autumns. 
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