Central Otago Pinot Noir – in search of style

Queenstown and the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration, its 12th iteration, was my first official stop during a two-week trip to New Zealand earlier this year. The programme comprised two masterclasses (one on Central Otago Pinots and one on regional French Pinots), the grand tasting (pictured right) and several rather long-winded lunches and dinners – fantastic food and good company, usually in stunning surroundings (as in the Amisfield vineyards picture below), but not ideal tasting conditions. 

It’s an event for somms, journalists and for consumers with...