Maru Wines NZ Riesling 2025

Beautiful Riesling by a Japanese Winemaker

In New Zealand, many Rieslings are made in an off-dry style with a hint of sweetness. However, Naoyuki Maro's Riesling is less sweet. It is a dry Riesling that pairs well with food.

The grapes come from Tussock Terrace, located in Waipara Valley, North Canterbury. The Riesling vines in this gravelly vineyard are 21 years old. The grapes are carefully harvested by hand.

About the Winemaking

To ensure clean juice extraction, whole bunch pressing is employed, where the grapes are pressed without destemming. After pressing, the juice is slowly fermented at a low temperature of approximately 12°C to bring out elegant aromas.

Riesling can sometimes develop a distinctive petrol-like aroma with age. However, Maro chose to avoid this style, resulting in a clean and beautiful aroma dominated by fruit and floral notes.

The residual sugar is 5g/L. While there is a slight amount of residual sugar in terms of numbers, the taste is on the drier side.

Tasting Notes

Pale green-tinged yellow.

When poured into a glass, it offers fresh fruit aromas of lemon and yellow peach. Floral jasmine nuances and a hint of white pepper spice gently follow.

The 2025 vintage seems to have relatively mellow acidity, and upon tasting, a pleasant, soft expanse is felt, along with a transparent and light body. Rounded acidity is enveloped by fruitiness, and the finish is crisp and dry. This wine is an excellent accompaniment to a meal.

About Aging

This wine is best enjoyed now, while its fresh aromas are vibrant. While Rieslings with petrol notes can develop that aroma with age, leading to a different kind of complexity, the charm of this wine lies in its current "unadulterated elegance."

Pairing

This Riesling pairs well with a wide range of dishes.

• Braised salted pork and cabbage (The gentle saltiness and umami enhance the wine's fruitiness)
• Grilled rainbow trout with salt (The simple umami of freshwater fish and the wine's transparency meld together)
• Linguine with shrimp and broccoli in cream sauce (The richness of the cream complements the wine's softness)

Be sure to try Maro Wines' Pinot Noir, Isolated Hill, and Bannockburn as well. Comparing Maro-san's white and red wines, with their different origins and styles, will give you a clearer insight into the winemaker's world.

About MARO Wines NZ

MARO Wines is a wine brand crafted by winemaker Naoyuki Maro. Maro gained experience at a winery in Hokkaido and studied winemaking abroad, continuing his unique activities of making wine in both Japan and New Zealand.

While it is winter in Japan, New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere enters its grape harvest season. Maro travels to New Zealand during this time to make wine using local grapes. The great appeal of MARO Wines lies in its creation of wines that respect the individuality of each terroir, by accumulating experience in both Japan and New Zealand.

Experience the Winemaker's Individuality and the Terroir's Charm

MARO Wines' New Zealand wines are not flashy but subtly convey the winemaker's meticulous approach and the terroir's unique character. A bottle crafted by a Japanese winemaker, who engages with New Zealand's nature alongside local collaborators, offers the fascinating experience of winemaking that transcends borders.

These New Zealand wines, known to those in the know, possess the charm of accompanying everyday meals while also creating slightly special moments.

About the Canterbury/Waipara Region

Canterbury/Waipara is located on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island and is characterized by a cool, dry climate.

North Canterbury, with its vast plains, is one of the world's leading lamb-producing regions, and its scattered wineries offer a wide variety of grape varietals.

Waipara, a day trip from Christchurch, produces premium wines such as Riesling and Pinot Noir and is also a popular tourist destination.

Maro Wines NZ Riesling 2025