The question of whether New Zealand’s wine or Australia’s wine is better is truly unfair. Both countries boast some of the best climate and soil conditions for wine production in the world and considering the variety of wine types, this score will hardly ever be settled. This century-old rivalry has become so iconic that it has turned into a touristic attraction of sorts. So, if you ever wanted to go on a vacation across both realms of the Commonwealth, here’s what you should know of who does wine better, New Zealand or Australia.
When it comes to quantity
If you raise the question of quantity, Australia is the obvious winner. After all, the Land Down Under covers markedly more ground, so the bigger “sibling” gets more results. It is only natural. The wine industry of Australia towers over New Zealand’s two times over.
However, when it comes to the beauty of the surroundings as you enjoy a glass of superb wine, it’s pretty much a tie. European wineries, especially those in Tuscany and Provence, used to be a real hit among baby-boomer travelers, but these days, the incredible sprawling hill slopes of Australia and New Zealand are just as popular.
Australia has more to offer simply on basis of quantity, but both realms have the rustic charm to die for. After all, haven’t you heard? Drinking wine is of the utmost importance for your health!
When it comes to quality
It’s as if New Zealand knows it is at a disadvantage when it comes to quantity, so they try to make up for it in quality. This is where the competition gets tricky due to some technical results. There is a really popular online wine community database known as Vivino. This application gives people around the world a chance to purchase, review and rate wines. By this point, the website contains over 3 million wines and has a whopping number of 6.8 million members.
Now, according to Vivino users from all around the globe, the users who had a chance to taste both Australian and New Zealand’s wines, the winner is technically New Zealand, with a rating of 3.72 as opposed to Australia’s 3.57. While the margin is not that dramatic, it can still boost New Zealand’s confidence in this regard. However, is it really fair?
The only way to be 100% sure which of the two Commonwealth realms has better wine is to literally go through every winery on each of the landmasses and determine it accordingly. When it comes to Australia, many people have visited a singular region. However, all around the continent, the tropical coastline gives way to quaint valleys with a Mediterranean appeal.
You can’t say you’ve tried most of the Australian wines even if you visited the wineries of Western Australia and Queensland. If there are some places you can’t visit, you can still buy wines online from those regions, be it Pinot Noir from New South Wales or anything from Oakridge Wines near Melbourne. This is probably the most efficient way to cover Australian wines without spending the rest of your life in the Land Down Under.
A matter of hedonism
Both Australia and New Zealand are renowned for particular types of white or red wine. For example, Australia is mostly famed for its incredible Chardonnay while New Zealand is typically known for its crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Australian Shiraz is renowned around the world for its fruity appeal and incredibly rich taste, while New Zealand is proud of its Pinot Noir.
At the end of the day, it’s all a matter of hedonism. Both Australia and New Zealand offer incredible experiences for eager baby boomer travelers who love to be taken back in time as they drink their favorite type of wine. Whether you are enjoying an incredible dinner in a Wellington restaurant, or pairing up chocolate with red wine in an Australian tasting establishment, your experience is, just like this sibling rivalry, all about good spirits.
