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In this Pinot Noir, hand-harvested from Brookby Hill Vineyard, you’ll find a heavenly wine that isn’t afraid to show off its history nor its violets, wild thyme, fruits, and earthiness
Clouston & Co Pinot Noir
750ml, $23.99
An opaque ruby color announces the darker fruits to be found in this wine. Soft yet balanced acidity underpinning the perfume and flavors of black cherry and plum. Medium to full bodied the palate is plush with tannins that are velvet smooth. The finish leaves a lasting impression that is gently warming and just a little earthy.
Middle Earth Pinot Noir
750ml, Reg: $18.99
Why Hobbits Drink Pinot
In a time, “Between the Dawn of Faerie and the Dominion of Men”, Frodo and his intrepid band of dwarves are on a journey far from his comfy Shire in a search for the dragon, Smaug’s, gold. In the course of their journeys they find themselves traveling over the Misty Mountains where they are driven underground by goblins. Along the way, they drink much wine and sing songs of glory and valor. I hereby declare that the wine must be Pinot Noir.
After reading the above paragraph, one might be waxing nostalgic for their
dog-eared copy of the “Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien whilst they ponder what in the world this has to do with Pinot Noir. Well, the Misty Mountains, as cinematographically reproduced by Peter Jackson, are actually the Southern Alps, just west of one of the only wine regions in New Zealand with a true Continental Climate, Central Otago. These geologic and meteorological conditions lead to a macroclimate perfectly suited for Pinot production. Vis-à-vis, Frodo and the Gang were probably drinking Pinot Noir.
Central Otago is the southernmost wine producing region in the world at 45° south latitude which places it squarely in the southern third of the South Island of New Zealand. This far southern position places this region halfway between the equator and the South Pole, making for a cooler climate than many wine regions in the Southern Hemisphere. To put it in perspective for those of us on the other side of the planet, the 45th parallel north is the border between Wyoming and Montana.
This is what is meant by a Continental Climate, warm summers and cold winters. During the summers temperatures range between 50° nights and 85° days much like our climate here in Colorado. In addition, the Southern Alps act as what is called a rain shadow, blocking much of the moisture from passing into the region thereby creating one of the driest parts of New Zealand. All of this adds up to a special place for Pinot Noir.
Let’s not forget about Edoras, the capital of Rohan, home of the horse lords. This is actually the Canterbury region in New Zealand right next to Marlborough. Rightly known as the source of some of the world’s great Sauvignon Blancs, it is home to some terrific Pinot Noirs as well. Central Otago Pinot noirs have become characterized as "fruit bombs"—big, soft textured, wines, rich in flavors like boysenberry while Marlborough Pinots tend to be a little earthier.
Pinot is what is known as a cool climate grape, it does its best work in marginal climates like New Zealand. While it may be cooler, there is plenty of sunshine to help ripen those grapes as during the summer months, daylight can last until 10pm. Pinot is also very prone to mildew and rot, so a dry climate during the growing season is necessary to get high quality fruit. Now we see the importance of those mountains.
So, don’t let those Middle Earth punks get all the good juice, try some of these for yourself: