Is New Zealand Albarino Any Good

This show was published Friday, May 8, 2026

Overview

Ian and Linda Quinn are the owners of Two Terraces in the Mangatahi subregion on the Heretaunga Plains. They grow grapes for a diverse range of winemakers and wine styles, with a focus on producing fruit that reflects both their site and the wider Hawke’s Bay region and its winemaking potential.

The couple have planted 5 hectares of Albarino vines, making them the largest growers of Albarino in Hawke’s Bay. With another 5 hectares planted mainly in Chardonnay, adding Albarino was a way to diversify and reduce the risk of relying too heavily on Chardonnay each vintage. As keen drinkers of the variety themselves, planting Albarino was also a natural fit.

We discuss the different expressions of Albarino being made from their fruit, from Smith & Sheth’s Cru bottling, a fuller-bodied and more textured style, to Left Field’s fruit-driven approach and Swift Pipi, New Zealand’s first sparkling Albarino. Another producer Amoise is experimenting with extended skin contact.

Ian and Chris also explore the region’s climate, viticulture and clone selection. One Albarino clone is a Spanish mass selection, while the other is the Portuguese clone 635, with each ripening differently and bringing distinct flavour profiles to the wines.

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Music

The music used for the UK Wine Show is Griffes de Jingle 1 by Marcel de la Jartèle and Silence by Etoile Noire.