Instore tasting Saturday 30 March, 1pm to 5pm

Marlborough Pinot Power Tasting

Ever wondered which New Zealand wine region has the most Pinot Noir growing within the lush foliage of its verdant vineyards?

If, like most New Zealand wine lovers, you have been seduced by the words Central Otago, then it may come as something of a surprise to discover that the country's biggest wine region has more Pinot Noir in its vineyards than the deep south.

We're talking Marlborough.

The sun drenched maritime wine region at the north east tip of the South Island is home to more Sauvignon Blanc than you can shake a stick at. There is more Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough than in any other single region in New Zealand or any single wine region in the world, for that matter. And that includes France's Loire Valley, traditional home to Sauvignon.

But while Sauvignon might rule the roost in Marlborough, this mammoth wine region (all 26,000 hectares of it) also has more Pinot Noir in the ground than any other region in New Zealand.

We may not necessarily think of Marlborough when it comes to red wines, let alone elegant, silky reds which rock the PInotesque vibe every bit as well as Martinborough, Nelson, North Canterbury and Central Otago.

So, we are cracking open four of these great reds on Saturday 30 March.

Pop in any time between 1pm to 5pm on Saturday 30 March for a taste, a chat and a chance to buy these four beauties while they’re on special for the day only.

Here's the line up...

Pinot power from Marlborough

2016 Corofin Settlement Pinot Noir Usual $43.99 Special $39.99

Corofin is a Gaelic word and the name of Mike and Anna Paterson’s home and their Marlborough wine brand. 

Their first harvest was 2012. Both had worked in Marlborough for 15 years; Mike as a winemaker, Anna in marketing. And when they decided to create their own brand, they initially bought land in North Canterbury but the timing didn't work out so they decided to purchase grapes from top vineyards in Marlborough. 

There are three Pinot Noirs in their range and winemaking is identical for all three, with variability only when it comes to the percentage of whole clusters used in the ferments; more in a warm year for freshness and structure, less in a cooler one to give any green flavours the swerve.

There were 250 dozen of each wine produced. They are typically bottled after 18 months maturation and are not fined or filtered. 

2015 Churton Estate Pinot Noir Usual $38.99 Special $34.99

Biodynamic Pinot from a passionate Pinot pioneering duo in Marlborough; Sam and Mandy Weaver. 

2015 Whitehaven Pinot Noir Usual $34.99 Special $29.99

It started as a small family affair when Sue and Greg White sailed into the Marlborough Sounds, finding haven in one of its turquoise coves. Now, over 20 years later, Whitehaven Wines has grown to become a force to be reckoned with. Its main focus is Sauvignon Blanc and this is exactly why the other wines are such high quality. Winemaker Sam Smale has the funds to focus on great quality in smaller quantities, as with this Pinot Noir.

2013 Charles Wiffen Pinot Noir Usual $23.99 Special $21.99

Here is another family affair from the country's biggest wine region; and with six years' age on it, this wine is a sensationally good value Pinot to drink right now. It also highlights how well a good quality Pinot Noir from a good vintage can age - no doubt the screwcap assists more than a little in this regard.

Come along and check out these four great reds from Marlborough.