Maude Reserve Dry Riesling 2026 will reward those who are able to put a few bottles in the cellar. This wine comes from Mt Maude Vineyard in Wanaka, Central Otago, where the vines were planted in 1994 and are among the region's oldest. Talc, slate, lime leaf and lavender lead the way, and the wine is crisp and youthful. It is a good match for fish, chicken or pork.
In the glass it shows apple skin as well, with a palate that is rich yet linear, built around fresh acidity.
It is a dry style for anyone who likes Riesling with tension and a mineral edge.
Only 1,933 bottles of the 2026 were made.
What it tastes like
This wine has a youthful, crisp feel. The whole bunches were pressed and the wine was fermented to near dryness, so the fruit stays clean and the acidity does the work.
With 3.0 g/L of residual sugar (the sugar left after fermentation) it tastes properly dry, and 8.2 g/L of acidity gives it the freshness. Give the glass a swirl and the aromas open out. It is a wine to drink with good food.
Style at a glance
- Sweetness: Dry, with 3.0 g/L of residual sugar
- Acidity: Fresh and high, at 8.2 g/L
- Style: Dry, crisp, mineral
Food to enjoy this with
- Pan-fried fish with lemon butter
- Roast chicken with herbs
- Slow-cooked pork belly, where the acidity cuts through the richness
- Fresh oysters with lemon
- Rice paper rolls with fresh herbs
- Fried chicken, because the acidity refreshes the palate after the crisp coating
Who makes it
Maude was founded in 2005 by Sarah-Kate and Dan Dineen, who met in Australia's Hunter Valley. It is a family-run winery in Wanaka.
Mt Maude Vineyard was planted in 1994 by Sarah-Kate's parents, Dawn and Dr Terry Wilson. It sits at 360 metres in the Maungawera Valley, between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, and covers 4 hectares, including 1 hectare of Riesling. The vineyard is dry-farmed, which means the vines receive no irrigation.
For the 2026 vintage, the grapes were harvested on 29 April, whole bunch pressed and fermented to near dryness. The wine was bottled on 21 July 2026.
About the vintage
Writing in NZ Winegrower, Sophie Preece described a Central Otago season with a dry winter, a wet spring and strong winds, with harvest running 7 to 10 days behind typical.
Viticulturist James Dicey said that in years like this, "we tend to end up with a little bit more focus and concentration and density in our wines."
When to drink it
Maude describes this wine as suitable for immediate enjoyment or for cellaring. It says the wine is fresh and vibrant while young and will reward those with the patience to cellar it.
Technical details
| Winery: |
Maude |
| Wine: |
Maude Reserve Dry Riesling 2026 |
| Vintage: |
2026 |
| Variety: |
Riesling |
| Vineyard: |
Mt Maude Vineyard, planted in 1994 |
| Region: |
Wanaka, Central Otago |
| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Harvest date: |
29 April 2026 |
| Fermentation: |
Whole bunch pressed, fermented to near dryness |
| Alcohol: |
11.0% |
| Residual sugar: |
3.0 g/L |
| pH: |
3.12 |
| Acidity: |
8.2 g/L |
Where to buy
For international delivery to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, the Maude Reserve Dry Riesling 2026 is available from our winenz.com website. For delivery within New Zealand, buy it from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. On both websites and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines, and if you are visiting from overseas, we can ship it home for you.
Questions we are often asked
How dry is Maude Reserve Dry Riesling 2026?
The analysis shows 3.0 g/L of residual sugar and 8.2 g/L of acidity. That makes it a dry, fresh and crisp Riesling.
Where does Maude Reserve Dry Riesling 2026 come from?
The grapes come from Mt Maude Vineyard in Wanaka, Central Otago. The vines were planted in 1994 and the vineyard is dry-farmed.
What does Maude Reserve Dry Riesling 2026 taste like?
Maude describes talc, slate, lime leaf and lavender, with apple skin as well. It is youthful and crisp, built around fresh acidity.
Can I cellar Maude Reserve Dry Riesling 2026?
Yes. Maude says it can be enjoyed now or cellared, and that it will reward those with the patience to cellar it.
How many bottles of Maude Reserve Dry Riesling 2026 were made?
1,933 bottles were bottled in July 2026.
Where can I buy Maude Reserve Dry Riesling 2026?
The Winery ships Maude Reserve Dry Riesling 2026 internationally from winenz.com to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, and delivers within New Zealand from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
