5 Places In New Zealand You Must Visit For The Perfect Pinot Noir Experience
It might have shut its borders this year but New Zealand is a fabulous destination for all types of travellers, none more so than wine lovers. For fans of Pinot Noir especially, New Zealand is a destination that keeps on giving. In keeping with the spirit of the grape, here are five places you need to bookmark on your next visit to New Zealand whilst chasing the perfect bottle of Pinot Noir.
Wairarapa
Wairarapa, meaning “land of glistening waters” in Māori, is the main North Island region with a climate best suited to this heartbreak grape. With a fascinating early settler history, vines were first planted here in 1883 but fell victim to the temperance movement in 1905.
Wairarapa’s modern wine history dates from the late 1970s, and the region boasts some of New Zealand’s most sought-after Pinot Noir producers. Between sub-regions Martinborough, Gladstone, and Masterton, there are over 30 cellar doors. The region’s flagship red is richly flavoured and warm, with darker fruit aromas and often come with a savoury component.
Marlborough
Marlborough is a wine-lovers dream destination, as visitors can choose from more than 40 cellar doors within minutes of touching down at the Blenheim airport. In our mind, it is one destination that no visitor should miss.
Although Marlborough is known for its Sauvignon Blanc, it is also the largest Pinot Noir growing region in New Zealand. The first plantings of the variety in Marlborough took place as far back as 1973, though for the next 20-plus years most of the Pinot Noir fruit grown in the region was used to make sparkling wine until serious growth began after the year 2000.
Nelson
The picturesque region of Nelson is found on the northern tip of the South Island, and because it is protected by mountain ranges on three sides, Nelson is blessed climatically. The region often leads the country in sunshine hours, while the dryness of the late summer months suits early ripening Pinot Noir. Nelson has a vibrant artistic and café culture and offers a wonderful sense of tranquillity and relaxation – add in a National Park and many cellar doors all on Nelson’s doorstep, and you have the perfect place to enjoy the wines and the scenery.
North Canterbury
In North Canterbury, Pinot Noir ranges from perfumed and pretty, to dark and brooding. North Canterbury’s cool, dry climate with high sunshine and a long growing season gives this region’s Pinot Noir finesse and depth, with supple structure and good complexity.
Today, vineyards are dotted across the region, and North Canterbury is a great wine destination for those looking to discover some hidden gems. The cellar doors of North Canterbury are all within easy reach of the Christchurch Airport, ensuring you are sipping wine shortly after touchdown.
Central Otago
A spectacular landscape and popular tourist hub, Central Otago is also home to some of the world’s most well-known Pinot Noir and is the world’s southernmost wine region. Pinot Noir from Central Otago is fragrant, lush fruit underpinned by taut structure, silky texture and true intensity. Easily accessible through Queenstown Airport, Central Otago is the perfect place to cosy up next to a fire with a glass of Pinot Noir.
If you’re waiting to travel to these destinations and already have a bottle of Pinot Noir on you, we recommend you serve it at 15 degrees Celsius in a large round bell-shaped glass that’s perfect to serve Pinot, as it collects the delicate aromas of the wine.
Happy World Pinot Noir day!
