Pinot noir prominent in Otago's medal haul

Otago's reputation for producing high-quality pinot noir was enhanced at this year's Air New Zealand Wine awards, announced yesterday.

Otago wines won 101 medals, including 17 golds.

Fourteen of these were for pinot noir, almost half the 32 the class received nationwide.

Pinot noir won more than twice as many gold medals as any other varietal, the next best being sauvignon blanc and chardonnay with 14.

New Zealand Winegrowers global marketing director Chris Yorke said the quality of pinot noir entries in this year's awards was exceptional.

Trophies and elite gold medal winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Saturday.

Gold medal-winning wines from Otago were:

Domain Road Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Gris 2010 (pure), Peregrine Central Otago Riesling 2008, Gibbston Valley Reserve Central Otago Chardonnay 2009 (pure), Akarua Central Otago Reserve Pinot Noir 2009 (pure), Amisfield Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008 (pure), Bald Hills Central Otago Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 (pure), Black Quail Estate Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009, Domain Road Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008, Gibbston Valley China Terrace Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 (pure), Gibbston Valley Schoolhouse Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 (pure), Grasshopper Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008, Lowburn Ferry Home Block Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009, Mondillo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 (pure), Olssens Slapjack Creek Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 (pure), Peregrine Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009, Thornbury Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 (pure), Wild Earth Vineyards Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008.