PRESS RELEASE: 24 AUGUST 2012 - for immediate publication
Grand Jury Européen Rates Lowburn Ferry Amongst Top Pinot Noirs in the World
The inaugural reserve pinot noir from boutique Central Otago producer Lowburn Ferry has received an outstanding ovation from a panel of international tasters known as the Grand Jury Européen (GJE).
14 GJE tasters recently held a special session in Paris about the styles of various pinots noirs coming from various
countries in the world : France, Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand, USA, Argentina, and Germany. Invited producers were
asked to provide a wine representing a vintage between 2000 and 2010.
The lineup of 33 international pinot noir wines included Lowburn Ferry “The Ferryman” Reserve Pinot Noir 2010 from Central Otago, as well as three other iconic New Zealand brands from Central Otago, Martinborough and Marlborough.
The blind tasting did not include some top names from France, as the “grand crus” and “premier crus” from Burgundy were
considered to be the benchmark for the fickle pinot noir variety – and the top ranking wines from the GJE June tasting
would go forward to be blind tasted against those at a later date.
“Nevertheless : we were more than pleased with some high level wines from outside France, and your wine is clearly
inside the first half of our selection. No doubt that pinot noir has a future in your country,” GJE founder and
president François Mauss wrote in his summary sent to Lowburn Ferry Wines.
“Pinot noir is a "graal" (holy grail) and we have respect for those who want to achieve, like you, a great result with
this vine.”
“I must say that on our 14 tasters, 6 tasters put your wine inside the 5 best : bravo ! Obviously, your country, like
Oregon and Germany, is able to produce great pinot noir with finesse, complexity, a real fruit and avoiding all excess
as noticed too many times. pinot noir does not accept mediocrity : this is the reason it is so difficult to manage it !”
Mr Mauss said
The Grand Jury Européen regularly assembles a minimum of 12 permanent members from at least 6 countries of the European
Uniton and Switzerland for blind tastings held under strict protocol. The concept was originally developed to provide an
alternative ranking to Robert Parker’s rankings.
Mr Mauss is also the founder of the annual World Wine Symposium held in Italy, formed to create a global reference forum
for the world of fine wine.
ENDS