New Zealand has not been growing Pinot Noir for very long. Only in the past few years has it begun to really make it big. The famous Burgundy grape is now set to overtake Chardonnnay as New Zealand’s second most important variety. And this is just the beginning of the journey for red wine.
Having been knocked sideways by my first bottle of New Zealand pinot noir, I decided to investigate a lot further.
One positive side effect of global warming has been the weather that paves the way for red wine in varieties that ripen later than whites. French winemakers might not need to worry, yet... But warming weather could potentially make Bordeaux and Burgundy too hot for their classic grape varieties in a decade or two. An interesting thought. New Zealand, surrounded by a cooling ocean, may benefit or at least escape these kind of effects that hurt the competition. For now the doorways have blasted opened for Pinot Noir, and maybe soon other varietals!
Since we arrived in New Zealand, I have been researching some of the best Pinots on the market in the Under-$25 range. Most are available from supermarkets, others were tasted on site at the vineyards. Here is how the best of the lot fared :
Pinot Noirs
Vidal - Marlborough 2007 $25 ***
Boatshed Bay by Goldwater 2008 $22 ****
Dashwood 2008 $21 **
Bladen - Marlborough **** (a bold surprise from a smaller underdog)
Shingle Peak 2008 $22 ***
Terrace Edge 2008 $23 **
Allan Scott 2008 $21 * (really dissapointing)
Our recap of dominating Sav Blancs and exciting new Chardonnays:
Sauvignon Blanc
Montana - Marlborough *** (Sadly the best in Marlborough was from the biggest outfit)
Mission - Hawke's Bay ***
Villa Maria - Marlborough **
Highfield - Marlborough **
River Farm - Marlborough *
Chardonnay
Montana - Gisborne * (Honestly crap, and disappointing)
Mission - Hawke's Bay **
Old Coach Road - Hawke's Bay ***
Mill's Reef - Bay of Plenty **** (Stunning quality, for an ordinary supermarket household name)
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