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Jen Parr. Photo Credit: Anna Allan
Winemaking begins with intention, says Central Otago's Jen Parr, both winemaker at Valli and a consultant.
"Do you want to make a wine to a price point, a methodology, a geography, a season? Do you want it to be simply delicious, intellectual, or both? Immediate or ageworthy? These questions guide how we grow, make and market wine."
Making numerous regional, subregional and single vineyard wines in Central Otago, she notes the different approaches that come with each. "A regional blend is like a family portrait - flaws and features are less obvious because of harmony within the group. A single vineyard wine is like zooming in on one person: you see the contours, freckles and sparkle."
Jen believes transparency is central to single vineyard wines. "It's not about polish but about expressing place honestly. You must enjoy, admire and fear all attributes of the place and be willing to let the wine show its most raw and honest self."
Wines that evoke strong emotions often leave lasting impressions, she adds. "The wines that scared me the most to make often resonate more with critics and consumers than those I thought had general appeal. If your intention is to best express the truth of a place in a season then you have to face that truth and trust that others will too. Those that don't, aren't your audience."
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