Best known world-wide for its distinctive Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, more recently New Zealand has established itself as a producer of world-class Pinot Noir from various parts of the country.
Notoriously difficult and demanding to grow, Pinot Noir thrives in the temperate climates of the country’s wine growing regions. The long growing season, with cool nights and warm sunny days allow grapes to ripen slowly while retaining good acidity. New Zealand also has a diverse range of soils, which result in wines with distinctive styles. However, all share a brightness of fruit and refreshing acidity.
The three most widely known regions for Pinot Noir are Central Otago, Martinborough and Marlborough. In recent years, North Canterbury, which includes Waipara and the limestone outcrops of Pyramid Valley and Bell Hill, has also received recognition. Central Otago is one of the most southerly vineyards in the world. Unlike the rest of New Zealand, it has a continental climate bringing bitterly cold winters, low rainfall and hot summers. Central Otago Pinots are very aromatic with bright pure dark fruits and a refreshing acidity.
Marlborough, best known for its Sauvignon Blanc, is making increasingly fine Pinot Noir. Once simple, light and fruity, some of the wines are now richer and more concentrated with nuanced flavours and real depth. The heavier, clay rich soils on the gentle slopes of the Southern Valleys are proving ideal for high-quality Pinot Noir.
Martinborough, and the wider Wairarapa region lies on the southern tip of the North Island. An hour’s drive west of Wellington, the climate is cool and very dry, with the highest diurnal fluctuation in New Zealand. The best wines come from a narrow ribbon of deep free-draining gravel soils close to the town of Martinborough.
North Canterbury is a large area to the north of Christchurch. The climate is dry and windy, and the soils are predominantly alluvial gravel. Waipara makes some excellent Chardonnay as well as some high-quality Pinot Noir. In style the wines tend to be richly fruity with good structure. On an outcrop of limestone to the west, producers Bell Hill and Pyramid Valley are making some very exciting wines.
Nelson is one of the smaller wine producing regions of New Zealand. A few hours’ drive from Marlborough, this is the sunniest region which also benefits from high diurnal fluctuation. Mountains to the south, east and west protect the region from rain. Most of the vineyards are on the slopes on the Moutere Valley where the deeper clay soils have been successful for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
