Pinot Noir was, surprise, surprise, the absolute focus of the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration in Queenstown at the end of January this year. However, in the days before and after, I did get a chance to taste other varieties, mostly but not exclusively from Central Otago, referred to locally as Central.
This picture of native Otagan Grant Taylor was taken during a visit to Valli in the Kawarau Valley close to Gibbston, where he was one of the pioneers during his time as winemaker at Gibbston Valley Wines after returning from the US in 1993. While Valli wines in...