New Zealand wine tasting @ 67 Pall Mall

Highlights would be a 2014 Viognier by Alpha Domus based in Hakes Bay, North Island, and two very contrasting Pinot’s.

The two pinot’s I loved were Tinker’s Field, by Rippon Vineyard, mature vines in Central Otago in  contrast to Te Whare Ra organic vineyard in Marlborough.

Marlborough and Central Otago are around 750km apart.  Central Otago is the only wine region in New Zealand to have a continental influence making the climate closer to Burgundy – it is also cooler and closer to Antarctica.

I found the Tinker’s Field to be lighter, fruit forward in style, red berries, lighter fruits, and generally a lighter style of wine / pinot.  The Te Whare Ra, was fuller in flavour and more complex, higher in alcohol with a longer finish.

The difference in styles interested me, and I look forward to trying more Pinot in New Zealand next year.