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NZ Grape Varieties

New Zealand started with just a few varieties, but now in 2006 is exploring the potential of many grape varieties from all over the world.

Here are the main grapes grown in New Zealand, along with the phonetic pronunciation of each variety so you can practice...

Eventually I will have more information here for you on each variety.

White Wines

Chardonnay
[SHAR-dun-nay]

Chenin Blanc
[Shen'N BLAHNK]

Gewurtztraminer
[ge-VERTS-trah-mee-ner]

Muller Thurgau
[moola turga]

Muscat
[MUSS-kat]

Pinot Blanc
[PEE-no BLAHNK]

Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio
[PEE-no-GREE or GREE-zho]

Riesling
[REES-ling]

Sauvignon Blanc
[SO-vin-yon BLAHNK]

Semillon
[SEM-ih-yon]

Viognier
[vee-oh-NYAY]

Red Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon
[cab-er-NAY SO- vin-yon]

Cabernet Franc
[cab-er-NAY FRONK]

Grenache
[greh-NAHSH]

Merlot
[mur-LO]

Malbec
[MAHL-beck]

Mourvedre
[more-VAY-druh]

Pinot Noir
[PEE-no NWA]

Pinotage
[PEE-no-targe]

Sangiovese
[san-geeo-VEHS-eh]

Syrah or Shiraz
[sih-RAH or shih-RAHZ]

All images by JB © 2006 unless cited as otherwise.