Tasting Notes From Pinot Palooza - Part 3

As we conclude our tasting notes from Pinot Palooza, it’s time to compare the Australian and New Zealand Pinot Noirs showcased at the festival. Both countries are renowned for producing exceptional Pinot Noir, but their unique climates, soils, and winemaking traditions result in distinct styles. In this final part of our blog series, we’ll explore how Australian and New Zealand Pinot Noirs differ, focusing on the influence of climate, soil, and regional character.

Climate and Weather: Defining Regional Styles

When it comes to Pinot Noir, climate is one of the most significant factors that shapes the wine’s character. The differences between Australia’s and New Zealand’s climates result in varied expressions of the grape.

Australia, particularly regions like the Yarra Valley and Geelong, offers a relatively warm, yet cool-climate environment for growing Pinot Noir. In the Yarra Valley, the warm days and cool nights allow the fruit to ripen fully while preserving its natural acidity. This balance of ripeness and freshness is evident in wines like Oakridge Wines Willowlake Pinot Noir, which shows vibrant red and black fruits with an energetic profile. The region’s slightly warmer climate results in more fruit-forward wines with ripe cherry and berry notes balanced by spice and earthy undertones.

In Geelong, the influence of the cold Southern Ocean creates a distinctly cool climate, producing wines like Provenance Wines Geelong Pinot Noir, which are structured and savoury. The cool conditions allow the fruit to develop slowly, resulting in wines that are more restrained, with dark fruit tones and a fine tannin structure. Geelong’s cooler climate contributes to wines that have a longer aging potential, with complex layers of fruit, earth, and spice.

On the other hand, New Zealand’s cooler climate, especially in regions like Marlborough and North Canterbury, produces more delicate and perfumed Pinot Noirs. In Marlborough, cooler days and nights slow down the ripening process, resulting in elegant wines like Dog Point Vineyard Pinot Noir, which are known for their floral aromas of rose and violets, alongside crunchy red berries. The cooler climate leads to wines that are light, fresh, and refined, with higher acidity and more delicate tannins.

In North Canterbury, the dry climate and long growing season allow for the development of complex, savoury wines like Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir. The cooler nights preserve the wine’s acidity, ensuring balance and finesse while allowing earthy, herbal notes to shine through. The wines from this region are typically more structured and age-worthy, thanks to the slow, even ripening process.

Summary:

• Australian Pinot Noirs from the Yarra Valley are generally more fruit-driven, with ripe red and black fruits balanced by spice, reflecting the warmer climate.

• New Zealand Pinot Noirs, particularly from Marlborough and North Canterbury, are more delicate and perfumed, with fresher acidity and lighter body due to the cooler growing conditions.

  
  

Soil and Terroir: Influencing Character and Complexity

Soil plays a critical role in shaping the style and complexity of Pinot Noir, and the differences in soil composition between Australia and New Zealand add another layer of distinction to their wines.

In Australia, regions like the Yarra Valley and Geelong benefit from a variety of soils, ranging from volcanic to loamy. The Yarra Valley’s soils are known for promoting a fine balance of fruit and minerality. Wines like Oakridge Wines 864 Aqueduct Block Pinot Noir reflect this balance, with bright, mineral-driven character and silky texture. The region’s clay loam soils contribute to the richness and depth of the wines, while sandy loams on the valley floor offer a more elegant, structured style.

Geelong features loamy soils that produce savoury and earthy wines with darker fruit profiles, like Provenance Wines Golden Plains Pinot Noir. The well-drained soils in Geelong encourage lower yields, resulting in more concentrated flavours and fine tannins. This contributes to the region’s distinctive cool-climate style, marked by both elegance and complexity.

In New Zealand, the soils are equally varied, but the influence of alluvial, clay-rich, and limestone soils is particularly important. Marlborough, for example, is known for its clay-rich soils, which retain moisture and allow the vines to thrive in cooler conditions. The result is wines like Dog Point Vineyard Pinot Noir, which are bright and aromatic, with a savoury backbone and vibrant fruit profile.

In North Canterbury, the limestone and gravel soils add a distinct mineral character to the wines. Greystone Organic Pinot Noir, for example, showcases the earthy, herbal qualities that are common in this region, along with a refined structure and fresh acidity. These soils also contribute to the wines’ aging potential, as they promote balance and complexity.

Summary:

• Australian Pinot Noirs benefit from volcanic and loamy soils, which contribute to their rich fruit profiles and mineral complexity.

• New Zealand Pinot Noirs often showcase the influence of clay and limestone soils, which add freshness, structure, and savoury elements to the wines.

  
  

Regional Expressions: Style and Character

The regional expressions of Pinot Noir in Australia and New Zealand differ significantly due to climate, terroir, and winemaking techniques.

Australian Pinot Noir tends to be more robust and fruit-forward, reflecting the warmer conditions of regions like the Yarra Valley and Geelong. Wines from the Yarra Valley, such as Yering Station Reserve Pinot Noir, are known for their concentrated red fruit flavours, framed by spice and silky tannins. These wines often have a fuller body and are approachable in their youth, while also having the ability to age gracefully.

In Geelong, the cooler climate results in more savoury, structured Pinot Noirs, like Provenance Wines Geelong Pinot Noir, with dark fruit tones and a firm tannin backbone. These wines are built for aging, with earthy complexity and a touch of spice that becomes more pronounced over time.

New Zealand Pinot Noir, by contrast, is more restrained and elegant, with an emphasis on purity and finesse. Marlborough Pinot Noirs, such as Dog Point Vineyard Pinot Noir, are typically light-bodied, with delicate floral aromas and crisp acidity. These wines tend to be more refreshing and lively, making them a great match for food.

In North Canterbury, the Pinot Noirs are more structured and savoury, as seen in wines like Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir. These wines combine dark fruit flavours with earthy, herbal notes, and have a silky texture that evolves over time. The cooler climate and varied soils allow for a more nuanced expression of Pinot Noir, with great aging potential.

Summary:

• Australian Pinot Noirs are typically fuller-bodied, fruit-forward, and more structured, with a bold expression of ripe red and black fruits.

• New Zealand Pinot Noirs are lighter, more delicate, and focused on purity, with floral aromas, bright acidity, and savoury undertones.

Tasting Notes From Pinot Palooza - Conclusion

The comparison between Australian and New Zealand Pinot Noirs reveals two distinct expressions of this versatile varietal. While Australian Pinot Noirs tend to be bolder, richer, and more fruit-driven, their New Zealand counterparts are known for their elegance, freshness, and aromatic complexity. Both regions offer a unique take on Pinot Noir, making them equally compelling for wine enthusiasts who appreciate the diversity that this grape can offer.

Pinot Palooza 2024 once again highlighted the beauty of Pinot Noir from both sides of the Tasman, showcasing the vibrant differences and regional nuances that make each bottle so special.