AMW launches The Wine Map of Marlborough
Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) has launched a new map that it says delineates the Marlborough wine growing region for the first time and will help understanding of its subregional detail and diversity.
The Wine Map of Marlborough was a project driven by the Marlborough Wine Map Collective (MWMC), a team of five members from AMW, the member-led organisation established in 2018 to protect the integrity, authenticity and brand value of wines produced within its region.
The first commercial vineyards were planted in Marlborough 50 years ago, with vines now occupying around 30,000 hectares. “Naturally, subregions with distinct microclimates and stylistic features have been identified over this time,” says John Buchanan, AMW chair. “And the Wine Map of Marlborough represents the first genuine attempt to map these in a detailed way.”
Over a two-year period, the map team worked with Wellington-based cartographer Roger Smith of Geographx and local designer Megan Boreham of Eye Catcher Designs.
Team member Matt Thomson of Blank Canvas, says Marlborough winemakers have been talking about subregional identity for a long time but lacked the key tool to be able to communicate it effectively to their audience.
“Marlborough’s hugely diverse soils, micro-climates and ultimately terroirs, mean producers can craft wildly different expressions of sauvignon blanc here,” says Thomson. “The vision is that wine enthusiasts will be able to use the map to pinpoint the subregional style they desire, whether that be the lemongrass-accented Blind River, passionfruit and blackcurrant-driven Dillons Point, or elderflower and white currant expression of Condors Bend. And there are many more.”
The Marlborough Wine Map will be available for purchase direct from Appellation Marlborough Wine with profits returned to the Marlborough Wine Map Collective for research and development.