Long celebrated for its fine sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and pinot gris, New Zealand is now turning heads with its pinot noir, merlot and blends.

Standing apart from most New World wine regions, the climate is cooler and winemakers approach the craft definitively with 21st century technology and mentality. They create red wines that harmonize traditional elegance with contemporary tastes, and wine enthusiasts the worlds over have decided to enjoy them.

New Zealand vineyards get plenty of sunshine but are considerably cooler than those in Australia due to the ocean surrounding both islands. Vineyards are scientifically planted, and managed to yield the best quality fruit possible.

Winemakers aim to produce high quality, because the output is small and must offer an incentive to consumers to buy. Prices are reasonable.

New Zeeland’s pinot noir wines are closer in style to Burgundy red than elsewhere in the world. The cool maritime climate imparts bright acidity, with cherry, berry, plum and pomegranate flavours.

Central Otago in the south island has a short time, become the centre of New Zealand pinot noir production, but central Otago is not the only region that excels in pinot noir. Nelson, adjacent to Marlborough, also produces fine pinot noir wines.
Merlot from Hawkes Bay in the north island is full-bodied, always well balanced, fruit-driven and elegant. They are very approachable in their youth, but can also be cellared for a few years.

Syrah is the “new” red grape of New Zealand, and Hawkes Bay has already been recognized to produce some of the best in the land. Elephant Hill, a German-owned and managed winery, produced northern Cotes du Rhone style syrah that is remarkable.

Here are the red wines of this year’s New Zealand tasting in Toronto:

Pinot Noir, 2006, Carrick, Central Otago
Complex aromas of dark fruit flavours with bitter chocolate overtones. The finish is long an satisfying.
$ 35.95 available at Vintages

Pinot Noir, 2006, Schubert, Martinborough
This small, family-operates winery’s pinot noir can be favourably compared to any Cote de Beaune 1er cru. It is brilliant in colour, smells of strawberries, tastes “juicy” and in the mouth reveals a layered texture.
92/100

Merlot, 2007, Ngatarawa Stables, Hawkes Bay
Easy drinking, mid-weight crimson-coloured, smells of berries, and displays spicy flavours.
90/100
Available at Vintages

Merlot, 2007, Coopers Creek, Hawkes Bay
This brilliant wine includes 12 per cent malbec, is fruity (raspberry and plum) and complex, with fine tannins.
89/100

Syrah, 2008, Elephant Hills, Hawkes Bay
From a new German-owned and managed winery, this syrah seduces the nose with pepper and fruit aromas, buttressed with refined tannins and pleasant acidity.
91/100
$ 28.95
Agency HHD Imports info”hhdimprots.com

Soultaker Pinot Noir, 2007, Gibbotson Highgate Estate, Central Otago
An excellent example of a fine pinot noir. Smells of strawberries dominate. Full bodied, dark, nuanced and long in the finish.
90é100
$ 45.00
Agent : laura.higgins”simpatico.ca

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Tags: New Zealand, Pinot Noir

This entry was posted on Friday, June 26th, 2009 at 08:41 and is filed under Food & Wine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.