For wine lovers at a loose end this afternoon (yes, today), the inaugural Central Otago Cellar Door Tasting which is part of the four-day Feast Wanaka event, will take place at Edgewater in Wanaka.
Seventeen of the region's wineries (including many that are not usually open to the public) will team up with two Wanaka breweries at Edgewater to showcase their wares.
With more than 60 wines available for tasting, you will have the opportunity to explore the region through your tasting glass.
Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration 2016The Central Otago Pinot Celebration has been running since 2000, taking place twice every three years, with each third year giving way to the NZ Pinot Noir Celebration in Wellington.
This year, 35 leading Central Otago wineries will be involved in the event, which runs over two and a-half days in and around Queenstown and in the wineries themselves.
The event attracts wine professionals and enthusiasts a like; the only prerequisite is a love of good food and wine.
Attractions include a Central Discovery Tasting, the grand pinot tasting of the participant wineries, a benchmarking tasting of rare and superlative wines, winemaker lunches and dinners culminating in the grand dinner and charity auction at the Skyline restaurant on the final evening.
Price: Around $27
Rating: Very good
Quite fragrant nose with red berryfruit, a dustiness, savoury character, and the woodsy smell of the forest.
Quite fine in the mouth with savoury notes again.
A very elegant wine finishing with a leafy/sappy note and almost a lemony hint.
Becomes a little firm and grippy on the finish.
Price: RRP $54
Rating: Excellent
This begins with "florality'' and roses with fruit in the cherry/strawberry spectrum.
A gentle dusty hint with dried herbs and smoky elements.
Powerful tannins dominate at first.
This opens up enormously with cherry fruit surging to the fore, giving the wine fine balance.
Concentrated, excellent length; just lovely.
Price: Around $90
Rating: Excellent to outstanding
The nose is mellow with secondary characters showing.
Roses, plum, a hint of barnyard and intrigue.
Beautifully integrated; concentrated yet not overblown.
Layers of flavour and nuances; sumptuous and nicely balanced.
A "pull up a chair and luxuriate in'' wine.
Aeration brings up the oak and the tannins rise to the occasion.
Be there
• Feast Wanaka Central Otago Wine Tasting
When: Today, January 13, 2-5pm
Where: Edgewater, Sargood Drive, Wanaka
For info: www.feastwanaka.co.nz
• Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration 2016
When: January 28-30
Where: Queenstown
Further info, bookings: www.pinotcelebration.co.nz
