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Central Otago Wine

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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 »

Aromatic Whites are New Zealand’s Secret Star

When you spend more than two weeks in a place you soak in a lot about it. Taste all the wine you want at home, but there’s simply no substitute for standing in the dirt where the wine is grown or for tasting it alongside those who shepherd it into exis...

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Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago (2006)

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

Really stunning glass of Pinot Noir. Crisp, clean but an overwhelming plum, blackberry and raspberry and even a gamey meat quality which wasn't expected. New World pizzaz but nota bad thing in this case.

Three Miners Pinot Noir Central Otago Earnscleugh Valley (2004)

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

Kawarau Pinot Noir Central Otago Reserve (2007)

Winery: Kawarua Estate
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Table Wines
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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 Riesling Central Otago (2008)

Winery: Felton Road Wines Ltd
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Riesling
Type: Table Wines
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Gregory Dal Piaz

Aromas of minerals, lime oil, and green leaves greet the nose followed by key lime pie, slate, light honey tones and incipient notes of petrol. In the mouth this is fairly sweet and lush yet there's plenty of juicy acidity to keep things balanced. The ...

Loveblock Pinot Noir Central Otago (2012)

Winery: Loveblock Wines
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Color: Red Wines
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Snooth Editorial

Floral and earthy nose with licorice violets and rich syrupy cherries. More herbal notes in the mouth, basil and sage, with delicious ripe cherry and mixed berry fruit blossoming towards the finish blending with tart cranberry, blueberry and a creamy o...

Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otago (2008)

Winery: Amisfield
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Table Wines
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Gregory Dal Piaz

Light and fresh on the nose, with sweet wild red currant tones backed up with herb, spice, and subtle vanilla notes. With air, this just gains focus and freshness while adding a touch of mint and mineral. Elegant in the mouth with real finesse and supe...

Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otago (2006)

Winery: Amisfield
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Table Wines
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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
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Evil Homer

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

Felton Road Chardonnay Central Otago Elms (2006)

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

Felton Road Chardonnay Central Otago Elms (2006)

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

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Wild Rock Cupids Arrow Pinot Noir
Winery: Wild Rock Wine Company
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Type: Table Wines

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Cranberry Chicken

A nice way to add flavor, color and moisture to chicken breasts . Serve Cranberry Chicken on a bed of wild rice . Read more »

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

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Cranberry Chicken Puffs

Creamy chicken mixed with cranraisins and spread onto cream puffs as an elegant appetizer. Read more »

Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir
Winery: Rabbit Ridge Winery & Vineyards
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Type: Table Wines

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Cranberry Chutney

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Valli Pinot Noir Central Otago Bannockburn Vineyard
Winery: Valli
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago » Bannockburn
Color: Red Wines

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Cranberry-Almond Chicken Salad

Prep: 15 min., Bake: 5 min., Cool: 15 min. Serve in a lettuce-lined bowl. Read more »

Waipara Hills Central Otago Pinot Noir
Winery: Waipara Hills Wine Estate Ltd
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago

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Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Cranberry-Port Sauce

This is a great dish for company because much of the work, from preparing the hens to making the broth for the sauce, can be done a day ahead. Read more »

Cashburn Pinot Noir By Burn Cottage
Winery: Rippon Vineyard Ltd
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Type: Table Wines

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Glazed Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Couscous Stuffing

If you can’t find dried apples for the stuffing, dried plums or cherries are good substitutes. Read more »

Twelfth Night Pinot Noir
Winery: Vela Wines
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Type: Table Wines

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Skillet Chicken Saltimbocca

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Mohua Pinot Noir
Winery: Mohua
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Type: Table Wines

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Prosciutto and Smoked Gouda Panini

You'll need to cook the panini in batches; keep cooked panini warm in a 250° oven. The sandwiches make hearty lunch fare on their own, or serve them with a tossed green salad or Chicken, Chickpea, ... Read more »

Matua Valley Pinot Noir Rose
Winery: Matua Valley Wines Ltd
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Type: Table Wines

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Chicken Saltimbocca

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Matua Valley Pinot Noir Rose
Winery: Matua Valley Wines Ltd
Region: New Zealand » Central Otago
Type: Table Wines

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Prosciutto and Fontina-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Finely ground saltine cracker crumbs create a golden crust. You can save the step of making your own crumbs if your supermarket stocks cracker meal; if so, start with about 1 1/2 cups. Serve chicke... Read more »

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Popular wines made in Central Otago under $20

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Varietals Produced in Central Otago View all

  • Sauvignon Blanc

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

  • Gewürztraminer

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

  • Chardonnay

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

  • Pinot Noir

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

Popular Wineries in Central Otago View all

  • Quartz Reef

    Named after New Zealand’s largest quartz deposit that lies beneath our vineyards at Bendigo Stati...

  • Valli

    Valli is the creation of pioneering Otago winemaker Grant Taylor and is dedicated to producing li...

  • Rippon Vineyard Ltd

    In 1974, Lois and the late Rolfe Mills moved back to the family farm in Wanaka. Acting largely on...

  • Packspur Vineyard

    Packspur takes its name from the track that was used to pack supplies over the Pisa Range, from t...

  • Nevis Bluff Vineyard

    Our wines are created by Dean Shaw of The Central Otago Wine Company (COWCo) in Cromwell. Dean is...

  • Mt Rosa Wines Ltd

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

People getting updates on Central Otago Wines

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Central Otago on Snooth

  • May 2017

    Aussie Pinot NoirBest RegionsAdelaide Hills - South AustraliaMornington ... - ... ... - Ata Rangi rather than Central Otago - Felton RoadI tend to feel Central Otago can be too much on the raspberry fruit characteristic and lacking some more meaty earthy characteristics&nbs Read More

    Forum post in the topic Aussie Pinot Noirs


  • February 2017

    Yes a littleMainly Central Otago and Martinborough PinotsHawkes Bay has a unique bit of dirt known as Gimlett Gravels which makes some very unique and delicious Shiraz, very different to ours and in very small quantitiesThey also produce some good chardonnayI have toured Marlborough twice as part of my work for Pernod and it is a quite beautiful... Read More

    Forum post in the topic AUSTRALIAN CHARDONNAY


  • Carrick Unravelled Pinot Noir 2013

    March 2016

    Carrick Unravelled Pinot Noir 2013

    Snoothrank:

    Nose is almost unpronounced to a hint of berry. Firm tannins, dry. Underwhelming at best. Read More

    Wine review by juice4me


  • Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago Block 5 2007

    February 2016

    Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago Block 5 2007

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Sanchee1


  • Loveblock Pinot Noir Central Otago 2012

    February 2016

    Loveblock Pinot Noir Central Otago 2012

    Snoothrank:

    Floral and earthy nose with licorice violets and rich syrupy cherries. More herbal notes in the mouth, basil and sage, with delicious ripe cherry and mixed berry fruit blossoming towards the finish blending with tart cranberry, blueberry and a creamy oaky finish.90 pts Read More

    Wine review by Snooth Editorial


  • Rod Easthope Pinot Noir 2014

    November 2015

    Rod Easthope Pinot Noir 2014

    Snoothrank:

    Not a big fan of Pinot Noir but this was a decent bottle. Read More

    Wine review by anstett


  • Twelfth Night Pinot Noir 2012

    April 2015

    Twelfth Night Pinot Noir 2012

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by Velawines


  • 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


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    Page modification by 540509Red White Pink 540509 Red White Pink


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