The origins of the New Zealand wine industry were in the North Island with lots of input from German settlers, which meant Muller-Thurgau and Riesling aplenty. Most of this was packaged in bulk with bag in box the majority unit of sale for years. Now things have changed and in replanting to combat a wave of phylloxera, there is more Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot as well as Syrah and Viognier. As the understanding of the island`s terroirs progresses we should have many more and varied quality wines appearing. (CW 23/01/12)