Marlborough displaces Central Otago for best Pinot Noir in world competition

Marlborough has tipped Central Otago from its pedestal as the source of the country’s best Pinot Noir wine.

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), based in the UK, also presented the top Sauvignon Blanc Trophy to a Marlborough product.

Until recently, the world fame for Marlborough's Sauvignon Blanc has overshadowed its Pinot Noir production and this is the first time a Central Otago label has missed out on a trophy prize.

The Giesen Single Vineyard Ridge Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 won the trophy against competition from 90 winemaking countries around the world.

The other winner was the Kim Crawford Small Parcels Spitfire Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016.

New Zealand wines won both trophies last year as well and were awarded gold medals for styles ranging from sweet Riesling to Syrah, Gewürztraminer to Malbec.

“New Zealand has established itself as a world-beater in Sauvignon Blanc, and more recently Pinot Noir,” says long-time IWSC judge Jo Burzynska, who was also a New Zealand panel chairwoman.

“However, in all the years that I’ve been judging at the IWSC, this is one of the widest range of styles I’ve witnessed winning top awards.”

New Zealand Winegrowers global marketing director Chris Yorke says the dozen other gold medals reflect how local wines can excel on the world stage.

“It’s great to see a continued focus on premium Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, as well as recognition of the quality coming from a wide range of other up-and-coming New Zealand wine styles and varieties.”

The gold medal winners were:
Matua Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 (rated outstanding) 
Babich Winemakers' Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015
Te Pa Marlborough Chardonnay 2015
Nobilo Icon Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014
Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Toi Toi Marlborough Reserve Riesling 2014
Ngatarawa Wines Alwyn Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2009
Two Sisters Central Otago Riesling 2010
Brancott Estate Letter Series B Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Seifried Winemaker's Collection Sweet Agnes Nelson Riesling 2016
Spy Valley Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2015
Matua Single Vineyard Hawke's Bay Malbec 2014

The results of two leading domestic wine awards, sponsored respectively by Air New Zealand and New World, will be announced over the next few weeks.

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