Scents of harmony - NZ Pinot Gris (Issue 139, March 2010)
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 This year 144 wines were submitted to our Pinot Gris tasting, a total emblematic of the varietal’s overnight sensation status. Just finding its feet a decade ago, Pinot Gris is now a wine beloved by the café set, from Ponsonby Rd to the Octagon.
The suddenness of this elevation has brought with it quality issues. “Everyone suddenly wants to make one, so the experience is not there,” noted Anna Flowerday. “Getting the balance right in the vineyard is important, especially as Pinot Gris wants to throw out massive crops – walls of fruit!”
From a solid wall of wines, the panel recognised just two with 5 stars, three with 4˝ and nine with 4.
Tasting Panel
Facing the music with John Belsham, Cuisine’s regular tasting panel chair and owner of Foxes Island Wines, were an aromatically well-attuned pair of judges. New Zealand’s only master sommelier, Cameron Douglas, filled one seat. Anna Flowerday, winemaker and co-proprietor of Marlborough winery Te Whare Ra, took the other. Although raised in South Australia’s famous red wine district McLaren Vale, the call of cool-climate aromatics brought Anna to New Zealand. The associate judge was Jane Boyle, product strategy manager at New Zealand Wine Cellars.
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Cuisine Top 5 NZ Pinot Gris
To qualify for Top 5 status, wines must be readily available for general purchase. Some wines might rate as high or higher but are hard to find. Wines are listed in order of final scores.
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1 |
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Ti Point Pinot Gris 2009 (Marlborough) |
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2 |
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Lamont Pinot Gris 2009 (Central Otago) |
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3 |
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River Farm Godfrey Road Pinot Gris 2009 (Marlborough) |
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4 |
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Ohau Gravels Pinot Gris 2009 (Ohau) |
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5 |
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Dawn Ghost Central Otago Pinot Gris 2009 |
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