New Zealand has become a wine powerhouse in the past 25 years thanks largely to the success of Sauvignon Blanc on world markets. The style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, intensely fruity and herbaceous, and it has become the New World reference for the grape. Despite attempts to introduce the world to other varieties, however, New Zealand has become more and more associated with Sauvignon Blanc, to the point where the grape represents 70% of the total crop (up from 50% 10 years ago). The country is long and narrow with most of the wine regions experiencing a Maritime climate. The exception is Central Otago which has a continental climate and is also the most southerly wine region in the world.