Inspired by Europe and Re-Imagined with a Clean, Green Island Spirit, Six New Zealand Wines Will Be Featured This Fall at Whole Foods Market®

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The South Island's towering mountains and plunging rivers mix with the North Island's sun-soaked coastal plains to bring Whole Foods Market WFM shoppers six amazing wines from New Zealand, a wine region that continues to surprise and delight wine lovers.

Wine offerings include everything from a pinot gris with loads of up-front ripe fruit that's a perfect pair for piccata to a rich, well-rounded pinot noir that is a delicious match for a pork loin with a sour cherry glaze.

“These wines have been handpicked to showcase the flavorful and exotic variety of wines that come from New Zealand,” said Doug Bell, global beverage buyer for Whole Foods Market. “Our selection represents the country's seven “pillars” of sustainability that reinforce a commitment to protect the beautiful environment from where they come and showcase the many flavors of the islands that feature a wine for every palate.”

Shoppers are invited to visit their Whole Foods Market wine department by September 30, 2014, to enter to win a 10-night, 9-day trip for two to New Zealand by matching wine pairings with featured wines. For more information about this wine trip courtesy of Air New Zealand and New Zealand Winegrowers, visit wholefoodsmarket.com/wine.

Twitter Tasting

Wine enthusiasts 21 and older can join two Twitter Tastings using hashtag #WFMwine on Sept. 18 and Oct. 9 from 7-8 p.m. CT.

Featured wines include:

Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc—With forward aromas of green apple and tangerine, this white's bright acidity gives way to dense flavors of grapefruit and mango.

Kim Crawford Pinot Gris—This white has up-front ripe fruit with peach, cinnamon and pear skin notes and offers a pleasant minerality.

Oyster Bay Chardonnay—Meyer lemon and tart apple aromas are found in this sleek, well-balanced white. A whisper of oak rounds out the fruitiness, adding complexity to the creamy finish.

Grove Mill Pinot Noir—With aromas of raspberry, this red has flavors of cherry, cassis and rosemary on the subtly tart finish.

Villa Maria The Red Blend—Dark chocolate and eucalyptus are on the nose of this deeply rich red and give way to hints of mint and black olive.

Sophora Sparkling Cuvée—Rich and ripe, this sparkler has a lasting creaminess and notes of baked fruits and citrus in the clean finish.