NZ & International Pinot Gris

A REMARKABLE THING about this tasting is the fact that an orange wine was in the top three pinot gris. There aren’t a lot of orange wines entered into competitions, fewer still that are awarded. If you describe rosé as being made like a white wine with red grapes, then orange wine is made like a red wine with white grapes, that is it’s fermented on its skins. That would be straightforward but this is wine and therefore nothing is straightforward. Pinot gris is a red grape making this orange pinot gris a red wine style made with a red grape, but it isn’t a red wine. Confused? Excellent. This example from Hawke’s Bay guru Dan Brennan prompted lots of debate at the judging table. Each judge agreed the wine was incredible, but were readers ready for a ‘top’ orange wine? In the end the fact that the wine was exceptional won through, as ultimately fairness (and common sense) dictates that the best wine takes the crown. This gris is truly worthy with its beguiling copper colour tempting you into a nose and palate resplendent with baked pear and jasmine with well-balanced phenolics and a bright acidity that interplays all culminating in a juicy and altogether delicious finish.