18 August marks International Pinot Noir Day. It may feel like the new kid on the block but after rapidly growing in popularity over the past twenty years, this diverse, versatile grape is now Aotearoa's top red wine varietal and the second most exported after Sauvignon Blanc.
We sat down with Indevin Senior Winemaker, Dave Roper who talked us through why he loves Pinot Noir and his go-to pairings.
Q. What makes Marlborough’s Pinot Noir wines unique?
New Zealand’s most famous wine region produces bright, clear Pinot Noir with surprisingly powerful flavours and balanced acidity, refined and elegant examples.
Q. How are the 2024 Pinot Noir wines shaping up?
In a word, spectacular. After a brilliant growing and harvest season in Marlborough, the wines in barrel are looking very promising. Yet to reveal themselves in full but in their infancy, it's hard not to be excited about the 2024’s.
Q. What are some of the trends coming through in Pinot Noir? Is there anything you’re particularly excited about?
Stems – the inclusion of a percentage of whole clusters and stems helps build tannin structure and boosts aromatic complexity. You need to get it right though, unripe stems can give a herbaceous edge which should be avoided.
Q. What bottle will you personally be opening to celebrate International Pinot Noir Day, who will you share it with, and where will you be?
Our 2017 Library Release Organic Marlborough Pinot Noir is in a great place at the moment. Beautifully complex on the nose, showing red and blackberry primary elements with beguiling mushroom, earth and game notes as the wine opens up. The aromas are so enticing the taste seems almost a bonus! The palate is rich, silky with fine tannins, poised acidity and a lengthy finish.
Q. What food will you pair this wine with, and why?
A classic pairing – mushroom risotto. Get a few different varieties shitake, portobello, chanterelles, oyster, porcini. Variety boosts the aromatics, flavours and intensity. Bang some truffle in there too and don’t hold back with the parmesan. Yom…earthy flavours, unite!
Q. Any tips on storing or serving Pinot Noir that will help people get the most out of their bottle of Villa Maria?
Look after your Pinots! They are fragile wines that our team has painstakingly made. Store them in your wine fridge or cool cellar (13-16 degrees Celsius is ideal.) All our Pinot Noirs are sealed under screw cap so you can store them standing up or lying down. Pair it thoughtfully with something delicious and enjoy.
