RELATIONSHIPS
Méthode Marlborough: Distinguishing GI from Association Standards: Comparative Perspectives
Read geography, grape resources, and production processes separately.
Ingredients and Place
Origin: Marlborough. Made within the scope of the three designated grape varieties.
Process
Second fermentation in the bottle, and a minimum of 18 months maturation on the lees.
Scope of application
Organizational mark standards. These are separate from the overall New Zealand GI regulations.
This is a schematic diagram summarizing the main text. It does not represent production areas or quality rankings. Sources and reference materials
FIELD NOTE 01
Mark requirements
Méthode Marlborough is a mark of a producers' association. It requires that the wine be grown, bottled, aged, and disgorged in Marlborough. The permitted grape varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, but use of all three is not required.
FIELD NOTE 02
From bottle fermentation to disgorging
Secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle, followed by aging on the lees. Lees are collected in the neck by riddling, then removed by disgorging. The minimum requirement set by the organization is 18 months of aging on lees before the first disgorging. This is not simply total time until release.
FIELD NOTE 03
Difference from the GI 85%
The usual GI labeling in NZ requires at least 85% of the wine to come from that region, with the remainder also from New Zealand. By contrast, this mark guarantees 100% Marlborough origin and also specifies grape variety and production method. Not all sparkling wines with GI are required to age for 18 months.
Does not qualify. Sauvignon Blanc is not included among the three varieties designated by the organization. Not just method and duration; grape requirements also apply.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
If you perform bottle fermentation and 18 months’ maturation on lees using Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, does this satisfy the requirements for this mark?
Read the explanation ＋
Does not qualify. Sauvignon Blanc is not included among the three varieties designated by the organization. Not just method and duration; grape requirements also apply.
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View saved notes →Sources and reference materials
These are the reference materials for the main text. For details of production regulations, consult the current documents. For individual wine specifications, refer to materials for the relevant vintage.
- Méthode Marlborough: Participation and Display Criteria ↗
- IPONZ: Conditions for using New Zealand GIs ↗