Robert Parker gives 5 NZ wineries 5 stars

In his latest edition of The Wine Buyer's Guide wine critic Robert Parker has finally acknowledged New Zealand wineries by awarding five star ratings to 5 wineries and rating another 21 with four stars. Parker singles out Te Mata Estate, Ata Rangi, Felton Road, Pegasus Bay and Rippon as the 5 outstanding wine producers.

For the first six issues of his guide, America's controversial wine critic declined to comment on New Zealand wine and so finally, with the release of the 7th edition, the silence has been broken.

Parker’s team of writers grade wineries on their overall ability to deliver consistent excellence, even in mediocre or poor vintages. Only a very small number of wineries around the world achieve his highest rating of 'five stars: Outstanding'. In other words its the wine world's equivalent of three Michelin stars.

Robert Parker’s New Zealand correspondent Neal Martin, will be returning to New Zealand in January to continue his appraisal of the country’s wineries.