Comments on: WBW #17 Day Old Red Kiwis

By: Jathan

Jathan — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 15:31:00 +0000

Mary,

Thanks for the insight.

It’s odd how certain wine regions grow faster than others, especially when other areas have just as much, if not more potential. Marketing is huge.

That’s two votes for that Mount Edwards bottle now, it sounds like a winner.

Thanks again!

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:53:00 +0000

Definitely recommend that Mt Edward bottle.
Did a tasting other central Pinot Noirs at Queenstown’s Wine Tastes on the weekend and there are some good wines out there just not the most economical. For value, you have to go a little more North. More grapes, more wine, more second tier labels.
For history, it hardly classifies as ancient but there has been commercial wine production in Central for about 120 years (about the same as Marlborough), thanks to JD Feraud. Although Marlborough has taken off sooner, Bragato’s initial assessment of NZ wine regions didn’t include Marlborough, strangely enough.
The Wine Festival is coming up in Q’town on February 4th so hopefully there will be another trip.
Good Luck in your NZ wine endevours!

By: Jathan

Jathan — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 14:44:00 +0000

Grazza,

Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll try to find this bottle.

As far as Central Otago is concerned, lack of a long history is sure to lend this area to the big “V” word. New Regions that must prove themselves are the best place to find good wine at an affordable price.

By: Jathan

Jathan — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 14:17:00 +0000

Jens,

I couldn’t agree with you more. This offering was more to my test than the many fruit bomb Pinot’s coming from varied regions in California. This is just the beginning for my New Zealand red wine affair.

By: grazza

grazza — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 08:12:00 +0000

Central Otago is a difficult region, as the climatic conditions are marginal sometimes, and it doesnt really have a long history like Marlborough. That said there are some great wines coming from there, and Mt Difficulty is up there with them. I personally prefer their whites – the Pinot Gris is amazingly crisp and clean with vibrant aromatic notes. If you can find it the best Pinot from Otago is Mt Edward from a guy called Alan Brady, New Zealands king of Pinot. It really needs a year or two of bottle age to develop, but it is well worth it.

grazza,
sommelier,
Chester, UK

By: jens at cincinnati wine

jens at cincinnati wine — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 01:27:00 +0000

I have enjoyed this same wine a few times (as I stare at an empty 2003 next to the flat screen) and a few customers have raved about it, especially one ex-pat Aussie Doctor, so I was favorably impressed with it at $30 in Ohio. Overall I am impressed with the Pinot offerings from Central Otago and look forward to seeing more on the shelves.

jens at cincinati wine