Grenache Mencia Rose / Blush New Zealand Hawkes Bay

The purple skinned grapes of the Grenache varietal have quickly become one of the most widely planted red wine grapes in the world, flourishing in several countries which have the correct conditions in which they can grow to ripeness. They thrive anywhere with a dry, hot climate, such as that found in central Spain and other such arid areas, and produce delightfully light bodied wines full of spicy flavors and notes of dark berries. Their robustness and relative vigor has led them being a favorite grape varietal for wineries all over the world, and whilst it isn't uncommon to see bottles made from this varietal alone, they are also regularly used as a blending grape due to their high sugar content and ability to produce wines containing a relatively high level of alcohol.

As with nearby Australia, New Zealand has over the past century proven itself to be a superb location for producing high quality wines in vast amounts, with much of the cooler regions of both islands being used primarily for vine cultivation. New Zealand wineries are notable for their enthusiasm in regards to experimentation, and for utilizing modern technologies and methods to make the most of the imported grape varietals which flourish in the rich, fertile soils and oceanic climate. In recent years, it has been the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines which have gained the most attention, as a result of their smoky character and ability to carry the mineral rich nature of the terroir they grow in. Changing consumer interests have brought about a considerable rise in the production of organic and sustainable wines in New Zealand, of which again, the Sauvignon Blanc varietals are leading the way in regards to excellence, flavor and overall character.

The beautiful region of Hawkes Bay in northern New Zealand is home to many of the country's oldest wineries, and is the birthplace of New Zealand's now enormous and important wine industry. Since the 1850s, Hawkes Bay has proven to be one of the country's most successful and widely renowned wine regions, with turnover increasing each year, and with its excellent quality, characterful and flavorful wines finding new fans all the time. The region is widely regarded as being the sunniest in New Zealand, and has a fantastic climate for viticulture. Indeed, the moderate humidity, low rainfall and blazing sunshine help the grapes which grow there flourish to full ripeness, and allow the resulting wine to be packed full of flavor and the finest features of the terroir.