Pinot Noir is a red grape that thrives in New Zealand. This is also true for Villa Maria's Pinot Noir Private Bin! Marlborough is New Zealand's premier wine region. Approximately 75% of all New Zealand wines are produced here! Marlborough is also the region where the modern success story began, with the discovery of the potential of Sauvignon Blanc. This popular Loire Valley grape found a second home here, thanks to the cool climate, unmatched in the New World. But of course, the climate is also very suitable for other grapes. In Sancerre, home of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir is also being planted with great success.
Villa Maria Pinot Noir is a real success
This also works in Marlborough. It makes sense, because anyone looking at the climate will see significant similarities between the Loire and Marlborough. Take, for example, the difference in temperature between day and night. In Marlborough, it's around 11 degrees Celsius, while in Sancerre it's around 10 degrees Celsius, so slightly less. This is a key reason for Pinot Noir's success. The grapes for this wine come from vineyards in the Awatere and Wairau Valleys. The different plots are processed separately to select the wines that are good enough for the final blend. After harvest, the grapes undergo a cold treatment, after which they are aged in French oak barrels. This gives the wine a beautiful structure. The color is as we would expect from a good Pinot Noir: a bright ruby red. The aroma offers beautiful aromas of red berry, strawberry, raspberry, and a hint of vanilla. The taste is very recognizable as Pinot Noir. Very elegant with lovely nuances of young red fruit interspersed with a pleasant spiciness. The perfect balance between herbs, red fruit and pleasant acidity is sublime!