Central Otago, near the bottom of New Zealand's South Island, vies for the title of world's most southerly wine region. Vineyards cling to the sides of mountains and high above river gorges in this dramatic landscape. Pinot Noir has proven itself in this challenging Terroir, and takes up nearly three-quarters of the region's vineyard area. The typical Central Otago Pinot Noir is intense and deeply colored, with flavors of doris plum, Sweet spice and bramble.
Two Paddocks, owned by actor Sam Neill, had thought the Last Chance vineyard was the world's most southerly (at 45°15'). But several major Patagonian projects are underway at around 45 to 46°, and Argentina can currently claim the honor for Alejandro Bulgheroni's new vineyard at Sarmiento (45°60').
The viticultural zone covers the mountainous area around the tourist resort town of Queenstown on the eastern side of the Southern Alps. The exact boundaries and sub-regional divisions are not official, but a geographic indication is in the pipeline.
Wineries are scattered around several distinct sub-regions: Gibbston, Alexandra, Wanaka and the Cromwell Basin, itself home to Bendigo, Bannockburn and Lowburn. Lakes Dunstan, Wakatipu and Wanaka all contribute to the terroir as well, along with the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers.
Gold brought the first settlers to the region in the 1860s, and most of the towns in this Part of Otago have a Rich gold-mining history. The first vines were planted during this time by a French migrant but, unlike in the Sierra Foothills region of California where the European settlers provided a steady demand for wines, the tough, transient Otago miners had no interest in drinking wine, preferring beer and spirits.
Originally from Bordeaux, Sauvignon, or Sauvignon Blanc, is reputed to be one of the best French grape varieties for white wine. It is a white grape variety, not to be confused with Sauvignon Gris and its pale yellow color, or with Cabernet Sauvignon which produces red wines. Particularly famous thanks to Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc is cultivated as far as New Zealand, where it produces great wines whose reputation is well established.
pink wines from the region of South Island go well with generally quite well with dishes of veal, pork or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of mouse of lamb with thyme, endives with ham or duck breast with honey sauce.
On the nose in the region of South Island often reveals types of flavors of pineapple, cherry or tree fruit and sometimes also flavors of spices, citrus fruit or papaya. In the mouth in the region of South Island is a with a nice freshness.
The 5cl miniature bottles of Springbank 1919 50 Year Old and Malt Mill 10 Year Old were sold this month for £7,360 ($8,871/ €8,659) and £6,670 ($8,039/ €7,848) respectively by online auction house Whisky.Auction – record sums for both distilleries. Another miniature of Springbank 1919 sold at auction in August 2021 for £6,440, while a miniature of Malt Mill fetched £3,400 when it was sold by Scotch Whisky Auctions in February 2018. The record sum for any whisky miniature at auction is believed t ...
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