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SKU 738531
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Felton Road Pinot Noir Bannockburn 2011 750ml
Felton Road
- Central Otago
- New Zealand
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Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.
New Zealand is a fascinating wine country, with a history which began no more than two hundred years ago with the arrival of European settlers. Of all New Zealand wine regions, perhaps the most interesting and alluring is that of Central Otago, the world's most southerly wine region, situated at forty five degrees south of the equator. Shielded by mountains, Central Otago enjoys a very favourable micro climate, which protects the vineyards from the harsh, oceanic features noticed nearer the coast. Alongside this, the region enjoys highly fertile volcanic soils, which produce strong, healthy and juicy grapes, packed full of the features of their terroir. By far and away, the most common grape varietal of Central Otago is the Pinot Noir, which makes up for over seventy percent of the vines grown in the region, and has been the primary grape in almost all of the region's most loved and critically acclaimed wines.
New Zealand has consistently impressed over the past few decades, with many proclaiming this southern country as being the 'pearl' of the New World wine locations. One of the key attributes of New Zealand wines is their wonderful fruit-forward flavors, which make them a favorite with newcomers to wine, as they manage to be deliciously drinkable without posing many challenges. That isn't to say there is little complexity or interesting features to their wines, as one can easily discover through the fantastic range of wines available – from smoky and mineral rich Sauvignon Blancs, to juicy and plummy Pinot Noirs and the beautiful Bordeaux style wines sourced from the excellent Auckland region. New Zealand wineries clearly have a dedication to quality alongside quantity, and such zeal and expertise is quickly helping them become established as world leaders in regards to both domestic sales and exported wines.
