Kronick Wino

A Tale Of Two Cities…er, Pinot Regions - Oregon vs. New Zealand

Monday, January 26th, 2009 | Tasting Room Stories, Wine Tasting Notes, wine | 1 Comment

A constant battle is going on in the wine world - the fight to be the BEST when it comes to who produces the greatest Pinot Noir. Currently, in the fight, I can think of two very well-known regions of the world. We’ve all known that France was the original contender in the ring. Some of the best wines are from the Burgundy region. (Shh… one word of caution, don’t call it pinot there). They’re classic, poetic, delightful, but part of the old world of wine.

I’m over the old; time to look to the new! So here we go, Round 2:

Willamette Valley, Oregon vs. Marlborough, New Zealand

Why did I pick these 2 regions? Apart from my personal taste, they are ramping up the sections at your favorite wine store, folks are not looking to Pinot out of California like they used to, and guess what? The French are even in on it! They are buying land plots in those areas to grow their own grapes. Why? Because they know how amazing the flavors and characters of the wines can become at full fruition. Take Domaine Drouhin, for example. What started out as one of the most well-known in their industry in France, now takes up a large plot of vineyard soil in Dundee Hills / Willamette Valley, Oregon. The clones of grapes they produce there continue to be some of the best in the world.

So, my wine pick from the pacific northwest (for the time being, because i can’t just leave it at that) would have to be 2006 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes:

At the heart of it all, there is one thing that separates these two regions clearly for me. It always come down to the soil; the terroir. Out of Oregon, my nose almost always picks up the earthy fruit of the soils: strawberries, elderberries, raspberry and blackberries, sometimes blueberries. But behind that lies an earthiness and musk that can only be compared to a rich and aged goat cheese. Usually the oak is there, but lightly balanced in the background with just subtle notes coming out from sip to sip. A delicate dance on my taste-buds. ($20-$23/btl)

On the other hand we have New Zealand. Not too many of my friends are drinking wine from that region, and neither was I. Until, one day, a gentleman walked into Hopkins and we started the conversation of where are favorite Pinots came from. I quickly said Oregon, but he had a look on his face of wonderment. I asked him about his, and he said New Zealand. Really? New Zealand? Don’t they only make Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays? Apparently not. I asked him what they were like and he told me just that they were amazing and that if I hadn’t tried one, that I need to find one. So I did.

My pick for New Zealand: 2005 Clos Henri Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand

Tasting Notes:

Unlike Oregon and its subtle fruit, New Zealand brings all of that forward on the palette. As soon as I took my first sip, there was only one thing that came to mind - Kim’s mothers’ strawberry jam. Now, oddly enough, her mother lived in Virginia and the land there is not so unlike Marlborough. Warm weather, wonderful floral aromas in the summertime, and bright, ripe, rich fruit! The body of the wine was quite smooth and a little more concentrated than the pinots I’ve had from Willamette Valley. The oak was a blend of French barrels, old and new. Some spice was indicative of Asian spice, like cloves, cinnamon and ginger. ($23-$25/btl.)

Well, the man was right. I am now in love with New Zealand Pinot Noirs, but I will never waiver from my beloved Oregon wine. I think they’ll live happily ever after together in my wine cellar. Cheers!

Tags: Domaine Drouhin, Lange Vineyards, new zealand wines, new-world wines, oregon pinot noir, Pinot Noir