In late 1990, a young couple left Auckland behind for a rural village in Nelson, encouragingly named Hope. Swapping city for country life, Andrew Greenhough and Jenny Wheeler took on a four-hectare property, determined to create something of their own. The original vineyard was established in the 1970s by a pioneer amateur winemaker, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau and Riesling. More than a quarter of a century later, the 4-hectare adventure has expanded to 13 hectares; the Müller-Thurgau is long gone and the vineyards are now certified organic; the majority of their wines are not fined, making them vegan friendly.

Pinot Noir represents close to half of all Greenhough’s plantings and the Hope single vineyard cuvée produces a concentrated wine with a lovely core of ripe fruit and a fine sinewy conclusion. Sauvignon Blanc accounts for close to one-third of the vineyards, making a more restrained and elegant style than in Marlborough. Fine, pure Chardonnay is joined by the rarely seen non-aromatic variety Pinot Blanc, which offers a silken texture, appetising almond and lemon flavours, and a fine line of acidity. Greenhough also has a tiny parcel of Riesling, including three rows on their own roots dating back to 1976.

Mendoza in the far west of Argentina is the country's most important wine region. Vineyard altitude averages 1000 metres, and the climate is considered close to ideal for red wine production, and now increasingly white.

A semi-desert climate, run-off water from the Andes and contrasting day and night temperatures result in deeply coloured, scented and structured red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and tempranillo in addition to Malbec and Bonarda. Chardonnay, Torrontes and Sauvignon are the main white grapes cultivated, though quality wines from Viognier and Chenin Blanc are also appearing.

The great white wine variety of Germany produces some of the longest lasting wines in the world. Traditionally producing un oaked low alcohol wines, Riesling is usually characterised by it's strong aroma which can be steely and floral and with age can develop hints of petrol and rubber.

The finest German Rieslings can be found in the northernly region of Mosel-Saar-Ruwer where the steep hillside vineyards recieve the maximum amount of sunlight reflected off the river. Whilst there is a move towards a drier style of Riesling in Germany most still retain some degree of residual sugar.New world Riesling especially from New Zealand and the Clare and Eden valleys of Australia is becoming Increasingly popular and is usually a found in a drier style and can also show a hint of lime in the palatte.