Home » Regions » New Zealand » Central Otago

Central Otago Wine

Central Otago Image

 

Cental Otago, located on the tip of New Zealand’s South Island is the world’s highest and most southerly wine region. It took quite some time to catch on. While wine-makers knew the cool, very dry climate must be good for something, they had a hard time figuring just what that might be. But by the late 1980s and 90s, it was clear, Pinot Noir was it. 
 
The summers in Central Otago are very hot and dry, while the winters are extremely cold and prone to early frost. Most of the grapes are planted on the north-facing side of high slopes to ensure the best sun exposure and limit frost potential. The hot days and cool nights ensure a long growing season and well-balanced grapes, given a further boost by the free-draining schist soil prevalent in the region. 
 
The Pinot Noir from Central Otago has a particular power and grace, with good fruit, earth, mineral and acid balance, though there is definite vintage variation. Other popular varietals grown are Chardonnay Read more »

Pinot Noirs Lead the Way at Kiwi Wine Awards

Judges awarded 112 gold medals to New Zealand wines at the 2012 Air New Zealand Wine Awards (ANZWA). In a statement released by ANZWA early this morning, Chair of Judges and Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich lauded, in particular, this year's pinot noi...

Read more »
View more Articles »

Felton Road Chardonnay Central Otago Elms (2006)

Winery: Felton Road Wines Ltd
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Chardonnay
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

Gregory Dal Piaz

Light toast and nicely interwoven wood spice greets the nose and though this is served cool it is remarkably aromatic with green apples and plums,a touch of vegetal herbs and an underlay of silica and clay. In the mouth this is really zippy with fine b...

Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otago (2004)

Winery: Amisfield
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

schellbe

The nicest wine out of four PN tasted last night. Smoke and wild mushrooms covering sweet flavors in nose. Flavors match. Plenty of spice and pepper reveals in nose. Soft finish. With time, develops ripe olives and complexity. This wine just confirms m...

Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir Central Otago Nz (2009)

Winery: Felton Road Wines Ltd
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

Gregory Dal Piaz

A little smoky on the nose with a gently candied, slightly roasted fruit profile that features a focused, youthful, herbal top note. On entry this is a bit soft, with a bed of firm tannins helping to focus the dark fruit of the mid-palate. This comes o...

Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otago (2006)

Winery: Amisfield
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

RachelNYC

A bit of a jammy smell, but it did not have the overwhelming fruit on the palate. There is a dark fruit component to the taste, but what really showed through was cedar and a pleasant finish that still showed some of the cedar. It really blossomed when...

Mt. Difficulty Pinot Noir Central Otago (2004)

Winery: Mount Difficulty
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago » Bannockburn
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

Evil Homer

Nice ruby colour with hints of cigar box, strawberry and new Reebok shoes. Nice flavour profile with tobacco and strawberries. Well done

Three Miners Pinot Noir Central Otago Earnscleugh Valley (2004)

Winery: Three Miners Vineyards
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

Bill Howard

Brussel sprouts, tomato juice, lit matches, rosemary, cocoa and soil. Great old world style pinot/burgundy on steroids, beautiful wine, nice long creme brulee finish. Wish this were under $25. Highly recommended $35 91 points WKH

Felton Road Chardonnay Central Otago Elms Bannockburn Vineyard (2010)

Winery: Felton Road Wines Ltd
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Chardonnay
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

Gregory Dal Piaz

Clean and light on the nose with a gentle blanket of barrel fermented aromas covering elegant stone fruits with soft mineral edges. Round, juicy and fresh on the palate in a generally lean style which really finds a happy medium between fruit and miner...

Felton Road Chardonnay Central Otago Elms (2006)

Winery: Felton Road Wines Ltd
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Chardonnay
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

colinrchorley

This is beautifully light and clean. Pours a pale straw with a green tinge and the taste is predominantly apples, pears and nuts. Its extremely crisp and fresh with little acidity and very moreish. Maybe more famous for their Pinots but the Chardonnay ...

Kawarau Pinot Noir Central Otago Reserve (2007)

Winery: Kawarua Estate
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

Gregory Dal Piaz

This shows some obvious wood tones and a nice hit of vanillin accenting the earthy, coriander spiced slightly funky, persimmon toned fruit on the nose. In the mouth this is lean yet bright with a fine sweet edge to the fresh red fruits on the palate. T...

Felton Road Chardonnay Central Otago Block 2 (2010)

Winery: Felton Road Wines Ltd
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Chardonnay
Type: Table Wines
View wine »

Gregory Dal Piaz

Light, leesy nose that offers gentle wood spice along with bright notes of crystalline citrus fruit. Right off the bat this shows fine cut on the palate and a wonderfully pure expression of lime fruit accented with a touch of peachy sweetness. This rem...

View more Reviews »
View more Recipes »
View more Top Lists »

Varietals Produced in Central Otago View all

  • Gewürztraminer

    Gewürztraminer’s direct and obvious charm has made it a popular varietal in almost every corner of the wine world. Ex...

  • Pinot Noir

    “With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...

  • Sauvignon Blanc

    Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...

  • Chardonnay

    British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

Popular Wineries in Central Otago View all

  • Aurum Wines Ltd

    Central Otago, New Zealand, is an area reknowned for its dramatic mountain and lake scenery. It h...

  • Mt Rosa Wines Ltd

    Mt Rosa is a premium wine producer from Central Otago New Zealand.

  • Felton Road Wines Ltd

    Open Monday-Friday 2pm-5pm or by appointment

  • Drumsara Wines

    Our Central Otago Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Rose, all hand harvested from our estate viney...

  • Domaine Jaquiery

    Domaine Jaquiéry is a specialist Pinot Noir vineyard situated in the cool climate viticultural re...

  • Peregrine Wines

    Peregrine Wines is located in the Gibbston region of Central Otago – just an easy 20 minute drive...

People getting updates on Central Otago Wines

Page 1 of 37

Central Otago on Snooth

  • Wild Rock Pinot Noir "cupid's Arrow" Central Otago 2009

    February 2015

    Wild Rock Pinot Noir "cupid's Arrow" Central Otago 2009

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by kendramoroz


  • Misha's Vineyard Impromptu Pinot Noir 2008

    December 2014

    Misha's Vineyard Impromptu Pinot Noir 2008

    Snoothrank:

    (Past tasting 5 Sep 2014) Rich dark red colour, with purple hues and edges. Fruity! Read More

    Wine review by Dennis Lim


  • Mohua Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2009

    July 2014

    Mohua Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2009

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by polesm


  • Twelfth Night Riesling 2013

    June 2014

    Twelfth Night Riesling 2013

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Velawines


  • Twelfth Night Pinot Noir 2012

    June 2014

    Twelfth Night Pinot Noir 2012

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Velawines


  • May 2014

    Thanks, Ogre, for that listing. Pyramid Valley pinots were what first put Central Otago on the map for me. Shocked me full awake, first tasting. Cloudy Bay SBs, on the other hand, make me gag. I remember back in about 1992 I thought they were the cat's meow for something out of a heretofore unknown, nascent wine region. But they just kept gettin... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Hello Snooth!


  • May 2014

    DMcKer,I am rather partial to the Pinot Noir from Central Otago(From fair to expensive) eg Felton Rd (and their Chardonnay, Mt Difficulty, Gibbston Valley, Chard Farm,Rockburn. The "Gimblett Gravel" wines from Hawke's Bay eg Trinity Hill Cab/Merlot, Craggy Range Le Sol, Te Mata "Coleraine" and Bullnose Shiraz, Waiheke Island Cabernet (Expensive)... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Hello Snooth!


  • Twelfth Night Pinot Noir 2012

    February 2014

    Twelfth Night Pinot Noir 2012

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Velawines


  • Te Mara Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009

    September 2013

    Te Mara Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by martins2002


  • Wild Rock Cupids Arrow Pinot Noir 2009

    July 2013

    Wild Rock Cupids Arrow Pinot Noir 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Great wine for the price. Lite tannins, raspberry flavors and smooth. Read More

    Wine review by BeautifulCalamity


  • Jul 28, 2010

    New image uploaded to this page.

    Page modification by 540509Red White Pink 540509 Red White Pink


  • Aug 31, 2009

    Description added for this page.

    Page modification by 242550Sileni 242550 Sileni


1 2 3 4 5  ...  37 next




View larger map



Best Wine Deals

See More Deals »

Community Activity


Recent Forum PostsView all


Central Otago wine ratings and reviews




Snooth Media Network

Copyright © 2015 Snooth, Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Contact Us | Made in NYC