Jen Parr, chairwoman of the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration Grand Dinner and Charity Auction at the Skyline Restaurant, in Queenstown, on Saturday, said the occasion had drawn from around the world "a beautiful mosaic of people who care about pinot noir". These included wine writers, consumers and producers.
One of the guests, renowned American wine writer Gregory dal Piaz, from New York, was full of praise for Central Otago pinot noirs but said theyshould not be compared with those from the traditional French pinot region of Burgundy.
"It's a mistake to position themselves against Burgundy, as it's essentially different ...
"Pure and beautiful - it's something Central Otago can do and with the road they are going down, they are getting this beautiful clarity."
Saturday's auction raised more than $33,000 to go towards cataract surgery at Mercy Hospital, Dunedin.
