26 Nov 2012

Central Otago Pinot Noir wins champion's trophy

11:00 pm on 26 November 2012

A pinot noir from Central Otago was judged the best wine in the land at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards at the weekend.

The Grasshopper Rock Earnscleugh Vineyard pinot noir 2010 won the trophy for champion wine ahead of more than 1300 other entries.

Chief judge Michael Brajkovich says the wine stood out for the depth of its cherry aroma, its palate richness and multi-layered complexity.

Marlborough wineries won six of the 19 trophies awarded at the weekend.

Hawke's Bay and Central Otago wine makers won four each while Auckland, Canterbury and Gisborne took one trophy each.