NEWS & UPDATES - the pulse of Central Otago Wine industry
Guest comments
“If Vivaldi had lived here, he would have written everything a lot louder!"
Guest Comment
'What a fantastic wine tour - it was "decanted" just for us. Our guide was upbeat, professional, knowledgeable and charming and lead us expertly through your spectacular wine country...' Julie
Wine Spectator Press
"Central Otago Pinot Noirs are dramatic: blackish garnet in colour and plumped with an opulence of black cherry and chocolate flavours along with whiffs of blackcurrant, liquorice, raspberry and cherry. Its Pinot Noirs taste like no others...
Above all is the sheer revelation of Central Otago as the planet's newest Pinot Noir contender. Yet another Pinot Noir "life-form" has emerged - one to celebrate and watch closely," Matt Krammer
2009 Team
We are delighted to have Iain and John join our team of guides in 2009. They underwent an intensive 6 week training program in early summer and are now undertaking the Appellation Central Certificate of Wine.
We now have over 23 years wine tour guiding experience between us.
Mel Jack also joined the office team in September and has become and active member of the wine team.
We are excited about the passion and enthusiasm of our team and are sure all those coming on the tours this summer will enjoy the fantastic experience we offer.
Qualmark Endorsed Visitor Activity
June 2006 Appellation Central gained the important Tourism New Zealand Visitor Endorsed Activity accreditation. This once again highlights the quality of our tours and professionalism of our business.
Trade tasting April 2009
We recently attended a trade tasting of over 100 wines in Queenstown. Here are some brief notes of a couple of the Pinot Noirs that caught my eye:
Shakey Bridge '06 - 18/20
A delightful spicy aroma, rich and powerful dark fruits onthe palate and great length.
Aurum Mathilde '07 - 17.5/20
Rich and voluptuous with delightful brambly fruits,soft tannins and a hint of spice on the finish.
Olssens Jackson Barry '07 - 18/20
Rich, full bodied and complex with memories of rich xmas cake and a long spicy finish (limited supply).
Prophets Rock '06 - 18/20
An exotic spicy nose leads to a fascinating wine with characters of dark plum pudding and spices with underlying fine tannins.
Tasting some select 2007 Pinot Noirs - Jan 09
Bald Hills – 18.5/20
A bright, youthful purple colour with a pronounced nose of exotic spices and prunes with a hint of violets. The palate was rich and mouthfilling with fresh berries, sweet spices and velvety tannins. A delightful, well balanced, complex wine.
Van Asch – 17/20
A clear deep ruby red colour with an earthy, brooding nose and aromas of dark plums and forest floor. The palate is rich and complex with flavours of dark mulberries, liquorice, and a touch of rhubarb accompanied by fine dry tannins. A powerful Pinot Noir, with good tannin structure and plenty of depth of flavour.
Peregrine – 16.5/20
A bright medium ruby, purple colour with aromas of fresh strawberries, red cherries, and aromas of sweet Bombay spice mix. A medium bodied wine with darker cherries on the palate, soft tannins, pronounced acidity and a lingering finish. A well balanced wine with an intriguing complexity, excellent structure and good development potential.
Carrick – 17.5/20
bright youthful purple colour with pronounced aromas of dark cherries and a barnyard character that added to the complexity. The palate is full of rich dark blackberries, prunes and spices with soft tannin structure and a medium finish. This rich, complex wine developed nicely during our tasting and is a wine that should age very well.
