Champagne, Burgundy, Beaujolais, the French developed classification systems for their wines years ago and now the Kiwis have clamped down, creating their own appellation for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. 

An appellation denotes a specific set of criteria a wine must adhere to, to be able to carry the mark.

With almost 300,000 acres of Sauvignon Blanc planted worldwide, Sauvignon Blanc has solidified itself as one of the most popular white-wines.

Regions like France’s Loire Valley and Marlborough, New Zealand, have put Sauvignon Blanc on the radar.

And its significance to NZ cannot be overlooked. 85% of all wine exported from New Zealand is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, with a total export value reaching a record $1.83 billion according to the 2019 Annual Report of New Zealand Winegrowers.

The crucial factors are quality and authenticity. A renowned wine region’s reputation for quality is critically important to protect for its producers.

Appellation Marlborough Wine™ was created in 2018 with a strict certification process that the region’s producers are able to apply for.

There are now 49 members and over 90 certified wines from some of the region’s most iconic wine companies.

The appellation is now trademarked in all the key global wine markets and it is this legal recognition that sets it apart from other new world certification practises.

To bear the AMW brand, members have to ensure the wine is made from grapes grown entirely in Marlborough and cropped at or below set parameters, established according to soil type and vine density variability. If a proposed wine contains any portion exceeding that level, it must be approved by an independent panel of qualified, experienced local producers.

The wines must come from grapes harvested from vineyards certified by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, and must be bottled in New Zealand, under New Zealand regulations. 

Chair of Appellation Marlborough Wine Ivan Sutherland, owner of Dog Point Vineyards, said there were now over 90 Sauvignon Blanc labels wearing the quality mark, giving consumers confidence in the provenance of their wine.

“Appellation Marlborough Wine is about protecting the reputation this region has worked hard to build. It provides the wine buying public of the world with an assurance they can see and trust.”

“We’ve now trademarked the brand in all of the key global wine markets which has been a huge undertaking. This is the first step in protecting New Zealand wine that has now become a global icon.”

Cloudy Bay Estate Director Yang Shen said the AMW brand was a necessary evolution for a maturing wine industry, with its increasing range of producers, wines, markets and motivations.

“Our members know that it is vital to protect the integrity of our industry, recognising that Marlborough wine is globally unique, extraordinary and 100% worth protecting.”

To read more about Appellation Marlborough Wine please visit http://www.appellationmarlboroughwine.co.nz/