The pure flavour of Otago Pino

As Burgundy Pinot Noir prices soar, more and more people are looking for alternative "great Pinots."

For those people, the first place they should pay attention to is Central Otago in New Zealand.

Central Otago is known as one of New Zealand's top producers of Pinot Noir.

What exactly is its typical flavor?

How good is Otago Pinot?

If you want to find out, I recommend this wine.

Bannockburn is a special subregion in Central Otago that has been granted Geographical Indication (GI).

It is known for producing Pinot Noir with a complex and rich flavor.

This "Estate Pinot Noir (6,600 yen)" is not a single-vineyard wine like " Single Beach (7,590 yen) " or " Jackson's Block (8,360 yen) " that we introduced the other day.

They achieve a balanced wine by using grapes from several of their own vineyards in Bannockburn, including the Slapjack Block and Sarah's Block, located in the north.

However, it is not true that the wine has less expression than wines from single vineyards.

This estate wine is "slightly fresher" but has a very strong character and the complexity and richness of flavour that is typical of Bannockburn.

The grapes are picked slightly early to preserve their natural acidity, fermented with wild yeasts, and then aged for 10 months in barriques and large barrels (15% of which are new).

After blending, the wine is bottled without fining or filtration, and only small amounts of sulfite are added at bottling.

The taste is...

The pure fruitiness of dark berries and plums is complemented by spices such as anise and cloves , and a complex flavor reminiscent of tanned leather . The tannins are silky and the texture is very smooth .

Personally, I think this is a wonderful wine that truly captures the charm of Pinot Grigio, a region that rivals Burgundy and Oregon.

This well-balanced Pinot is a perfect match for meat dishes with a subtle flavour.

Recommended pairings

• Herb sauteed duck meat
• Sweet and spicy chicken and mushroom stew
• Lamb steak in red wine sauce

Enjoy a wonderful dinner with some elaborate meat dishes!

About the Winery "Terra Sancta"

Terra Sancta is the fourth winery to be established in Central Otago.

Founders Sarah Elliott and Mark Weldon recognized the potential of their four vineyards, including Sancta, which was first planted in 1988, to produce exceptional wines, each with its own unique soil and site characteristics.

The current head brewer is Andrew Keenlyside, who has experience in California and New Zealand.

Bannockburn, where Terra Sancta is located, is the only GI in Central Otago. The desert-like dry climate allows the grapes to ripen healthily while retaining their acidity. The north-facing vineyards and three mountain ranges also provide an ideal environment for grape growing.

The signature Sancta Vineyard was established in 1991 and is Bannockburn's first vineyard. The vineyard's excellent location and conditions allow it to produce complex wines that can be aged for a long time.

Their wines have been praised by renowned critics such as Bob Campbell and James Suckling.

About Central Otago

Central Otago, the southernmost region in the country, is known as a famous producer of Pinot Noir and is known as one of the world's three major Pinot Noir producing regions, along with Burgundy and Oregon.

In addition to Pinot Noir, the region is also focusing on the cultivation of aromatic white grapes. This region is the only one of New Zealand's wine-producing regions with a semi-continental climate, characterized by large daily temperature differences, coolness, and extreme dryness.

The region is also home to a treasure trove of small wineries, and winery tours based in the scenic town of Queenstown are popular.

Terra Sancta Estate Pinot Noir 2023

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