Central Otago Wine

Central Otago photos, charts, maps, and wines.

Prev Next

• Photos < 1 of 1 >
• Stats & Charts < 1 of 3 >
• Google Map

The Central Otago Wine Region
http://www.cowa.org.nz/central-otago-wine-region.html

Ringed by mountains interlaced with lakes and deep river gorges Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular settings read more...for vineyards. This unique terroir is also world renowned for producing premium quality wines.

Terroir
The parts of the land where grapes are grown lie mainly within the semi-arid inland basins of the region and typically experience hot summers, cold winters and long dry autumns. These inland basins are part of a succession of mountains and valley floors, of old river terraces, scarps and fans. Seven terrace levels with associated scarps and fans can be seen increasing in age from the lowest on the flood plain to the highest at the foot of the mountains. Those qualities of landscape, soil, climate and aspect combine to form a unique Central topoclimate. Its horticulture potential has been proved over the last century and now a new generation of viticulture activity is extending this.

Temperature
Central Otago has a distinctive semi-continental climate, found nowhere else in New Zealand. It is one of the hottest, coldest and driest regions in New Zealand. The highest recorded maximum temperature is 38.7 degrees Celsius and the lowest –21.6 degrees, however winter minima seldom exceed –10 degrees. Frost is possible on any day of the year with late November being a critical time. The diurnal temperature range is 11 to 15 degrees in most of the wine growing valleys of the Clutha and Kawarau rivers.

Rainfall
Alexandra has recorded the lowest annual and twelve consecutive month rainfalls of 211mm and 167 mm respectively in New Zealand. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly during the year with a winter minimum and a summer maximum. High evapotranspiration largely negates this and severe soil moisture deficits develop during the October to April growing season. Humidity is low being about 65% in the morning falling to 30% in the afternoon.

Wind
Wind in the valley floors is strongly influenced by the surrounding mountains and tends to be northeast or southwest. Winters are calm and spring and early summer are windy. The most damaging is the Fohn wind which although infrequent can be very strong and destructive. The other damaging but infrequent wind is a downhill or katabatic wind which can develop in spring when skies are clear and mountains have a heavy snow cover. This is usually very cold and impossible to moderate by frost fighting methods.

Soils
Central Otago soils are moderately old (often windblown loess) formed over successive ice ages as the glaciers ground schist rocks to a fine flour. Layers of loess at various depths are interspersed with river gravels with the addition of sandier soils formed by water erosion. Soils are therefore free draining even when heavy in texture. The low rainfall keeps leaching effects low so there is a good level of minerality present but low levels of organic matter. The result is a soil low in vigour but high in mineral richness with the ability to use irrigation to keep vines at the desired degree of controlled stress so as to provide optimum fruit quality. All of these attributes have combined to result in Central Otago standing on the world stage as a unique winegrowing terroir, from which premium quality boutique wines are made.    (hide)

WineFlair reviewed Bannock Brae Estate Barrel Selection 2005:

November 2009

WineFlair

Wonderful Pinot from the Otega region of New Zealand. Unfined and unfiltered, this wine is full of bright cherry and berry flavors, with a hint of smoke, soft tannin and great balance. A tremendous food wine.

Bannock Brae Estate Barrel Selection 2005

Starting at $33^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

View WineFlair's favorite wines   |    View all WineFlair's wines and reviews

countessa618 wrote in the forum topic: Passport to Wine... Pinot Noir.. the most romantic of grapes 11/4

October 2009

countessa618

Taste 5 wines from exceptional growing areas paired with a delicious culinary ... Toast 07 Wild Earth, Central Otago, New Zealand pairing: Spice Crusted Lamb Loin w Goat Cheese Mousse 05 Bouchard Pere et Fils, Burgundy,...

View countessa618's favorite wines   |    View all countessa618's wines and reviews

Lindy Hemsley reviewed Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago 2008:

October 2009

Lindy Hemsley

Cherry fruit nose and at first on palate. A bit smoky then pure raspberry kicks in like a glass of squeezed raspberry fruit. Offset by the smoky earthiness for balance and finesse.Highly silky mouthfeel.

Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago 2008

Starting at $48^.01 Snoothrank: 4/5

View Lindy Hemsley's favorite wines   |    View all Lindy Hemsley's wines and reviews

schellbe wrote in the forum topic: Tasting Party: Pinot Noirs from around the World

October 2009

schellbe

Rachel, So you found a third Peregrine. I tried a Peregrine Hill wine from CA ... copy the name used by the Central Otago winery (Peregrine) just down the road from Amisfield. I guess I don't understand trademark laws....

View schellbe's favorite wines   |    View all schellbe's wines and reviews

schellbe reviewed Akarua Chardonnay Central Otago Bannockburn 2005:

October 2009

schellbe

Purchased at winery 5/31/07. Consumed 10/9/09. Nose of creamy oak and pineapple with a little spice. Fairly heavy oak treatment. Creamy flavors, definite pineapple, with soft mouthfeel, and slight bitter fininsh. A little...

Akarua Chardonnay Central Otago Bannockburn 2005

Starting at $36^.62 Snoothrank: 3/5

View schellbe's favorite wines   |    View all schellbe's wines and reviews

Gregory Dal Piaz

September 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

Felton Road reaches new heights with their latest releases ... wines of New Zealand’s Central Otago region, these are must try wines. Every effort is being made at Felton Road to allow the wines to...

davekeyes reviewed Mount Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Noir 2007:

September 2009

davekeyes

Mount Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Noir 2007

Starting at $23^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

View davekeyes's favorite wines   |    View all davekeyes's wines and reviews

Gregory Dal Piaz reviewed Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 3 2008:

September 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

This smells rich and dense and sacrifices some of the transparency of the other Felton Road Pinots for that extra bit of richness. There are hints of cola and juniper on the nose with a touch of licorice accenting the...

Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 3 2008

Starting at $40^.48 Snoothrank: 4/5

View Gregory Dal Piaz's favorite wines   |    View all Gregory Dal Piaz's wines and reviews

Gregory Dal Piaz reviewed Felton Road Central Otago Riesling 2008:

September 2009

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...

Felton Road Central Otago Riesling 2008

Starting at $30^.64 Snoothrank: 4/5

View Gregory Dal Piaz's favorite wines   |    View all Gregory Dal Piaz's wines and reviews

Gregory Dal Piaz reviewed Felton Road Pinot Noir Calvert 2008:

September 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

Big and ripe on the nose with an assertive smoky, grilled rare meat character underlying the ripe fruit and toasty spice notes. In the mouth this is rich and lush with a touch of chewy tannin adding texture, yet...

Felton Road Pinot Noir Calvert 2008

Starting at $253^.10 Snoothrank: 4/5

View Gregory Dal Piaz's favorite wines   |    View all Gregory Dal Piaz's wines and reviews

Sileni modified this page:

Aug 31

Sileni

Sileni wrote a new description for Central Otago.

View Sileni's favorite wines   |    View all Sileni's wines and reviews

palmnut modified this page:

May 31

palmnut

palmnut added a photo for Central Otago.

View palmnut's favorite wines   |    View all palmnut's wines and reviews

1 2 3 4 5  ...  522 next