With descriptors such as subtle, elegant, silky, mouth-filling, and rich it’s easy to see why it is placed on a pedestal by both winemakers and consumers alike. The ultimate challenge in terms of viticulture and winemaking, Pinot Noir is a variety that truly expresses its sense of place. Nowhere more so than in New Zealand, where Pinot Noir is our signature red variety.
The intricacies, terroir and regionality of New Zealand Pinot Noir is the focus on an international event to be held in the capital over four days next January.
Pinot Noir 2013 will feature a total of 114 wineries from throughout the country and Chairman Alastair Maling MW says it will be an event that shouldn’t be missed.
The first New Zealand Pinot Noir event was held in 2001. How will next year’s event differ from those held previously?
At the beginning it was an event set up to say to the world; “Look, we make Pinot Noir down here in New Zealand. Why don’t you come down and have a look.” Each year since, the level of understanding and the level of maturity in the winemaking and viticulture has seen New Zealand established as a high positioned world class producer of Pinot Noir.
So now it’s not about the fact we make Pinot Noir – it’s about how good can this Pinot get, plus the nuances of the regions and sub regionality.
The regional differences will play a major role throughout the event. How are you planning on getting that message across?
We are bringing the regions to Wellington.
The two main regions, Marlborough and Central Otago will have their own venue, while the boutique regions such as Nelson, Wairarapa and Waipara will be together in a separate room.
The delegates will spend a day in each of those venues, learning and hearing from the locals, about the unique characteristics that delineate them from each other.
The topography, climate, soils and what makes each region so special. With 30 to 34 wineries in each of the regions, each supplying Pinot Noir from the 2010 vintage, it will be a real showcase. (The 2010 vintage is considered one of the best in New Zealand’s recent history.)
Pinot Noir 2013’s catch phrase is – New Depths, New Characters, New Zealand. What do you mean by that?
This event is all about where New Zealand Pinot Noir is moving to. In terms of depth, we will be delving down into the regions. New Characters is about bringing out the new people (and wines) and New Zealand is of course the major tie in.
If you were to line up a wine from each Pinot Noir region in New Zealand, you would see quite a difference. But you would also see some common features coming through – such as the purity of fruit.
What is it that makes New Zealand Pinot Noir different to say wines from Oregon and California?
New Zealand is quite unique in terms of its Pinot Noir style. I often talk about the purity of fruit, the finesse our wines have and the lovely natural acidity that gives the wines longevity. Oregon and California are slightly warmer climates, so their wines have a different tannin structure and the fruit characteristics are different. For Pinot Noir aficionados they can see there is something quite unique coming out of New Zealand, that has a real sense of place.
In America our Pinot Noir is just starting to raise its head above the parapet. People are starting to take note and starting to see that New Zealand Pinot Noir is a must have on their wine list as well. The consumer is starting to show interest in diversifying and this is a variety that is incredibly universal. It suits a number of price points and a number of consumer taste profiles. So the person who is after a wine that is not too complex but an easy drinking red would find a Pinot works. And it also works for those who want an absolutely sublime red to go with food.
Will there be any comparison of New Zealand Pinot Noir with those from other producing countries?
In the past we have had an international tasting where we have compared New Zealand against Australia, Oregon, Burgundy and California. And while that is not a bad idea, it is really hard to do every country justice, when you are only comparing two or three wines.
So the final day will be taken up with a high end Burgundy session, led by Jasper Morris MW (a leading authority on Burgundy) and Nick Mills, son of one of the founders of Central Otago wine region. We will concentrate on either a Domain or appellation within Burgundy, focusing on the history and the outcomes to tie in with the New Zealand regionality discussions that have been held on earlier days.
This will be followed by a formal regional tasting with a panel of New Zealand and International experts. They will choose two wines from each region to be tasted and compared on a formal basis.
The entire four day event will end with a big Pinot hoolie.
You already have a large number of international visitors signed up for Pinot 2013, who are some of those?
Actor and winery owner Sam Neill. He is opening the event, which is pretty special. Plus we have Matt Kramer, (well known wine critic) who will also be addressing the opening. Raj Parr, Sommelier from San Francisco and Master of Wine Lisa Perrotti-Brown Asia/Pacific writer for RobertParker.com will also be in attendance. These are just a few of the big names that are coming down.
How can wineries taking part in Pinot Noir 2013, benefit the event?
W e are encouraging all wineries to bring an international visitor to the event.
You could do it on your own or club together to bring one or two people out. It will only enhance the opportunity for debate and discussion and the chance to expose what we are doing here. It will also hopefully make those visitors ambassadors for New Zealand wine when they go home.
Over the next few weeks, the Pinot team will be taking part in a roadshow around the regions, highlighting more about this major event.
For full details on Pinot 2013 visit; www.pinotnoir2013.co.nz ν
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