Cental Otago
Main grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Sub-regions: Wanaka, Bendigo, Gibbston, Bannockburn, Alexandra, Cromwell/Lowburn/Pisa
Climate: In a word: extreme. Central Otago is the southernmost wine region in the world. The climate is labeled semi-continental, and frosts are both anticipated and planned for here. In the summer, however, the heat is impressive to say least, despite the relative shortness of the season’s length. On top of this, the complete lack of humidity (both in the summer and the autumn) is a real asset for winegrowers as it boosts the depth of flavour in the grapes, creating wines with complexity and fantastic aromas.
You should know… Central Otago produces just 2% of New Zealand’s overall wine output, however they still have a fantastic diversity of wines. Beyond the highly regarded whites (namely Chardonnay and Riesling) and reds (Pinot Noir), rosés and sparkling wines also feature a lot in this region.
Sub-regions: Wanaka, Bendigo, Gibbston, Bannockburn, Alexandra, Cromwell/Lowburn/Pisa
Climate: In a word: extreme. Central Otago is the southernmost wine region in the world. The climate is labeled semi-continental, and frosts are both anticipated and planned for here. In the summer, however, the heat is impressive to say least, despite the relative shortness of the season’s length. On top of this, the complete lack of humidity (both in the summer and the autumn) is a real asset for winegrowers as it boosts the depth of flavour in the grapes, creating wines with complexity and fantastic aromas.
You should know… Central Otago produces just 2% of New Zealand’s overall wine output, however they still have a fantastic diversity of wines. Beyond the highly regarded whites (namely Chardonnay and Riesling) and reds (Pinot Noir), rosés and sparkling wines also feature a lot in this region.
