Introducing the new, naturally produced Mission Estate Pinot Gris:
lighter in alcohol, lower in calories (and full of flavour)
Mission Estate has enjoyed a reputation for winemaking innovation spanning an extraordinary 163 years. Pinot Gris,
meanwhile, is a relative newcomer to New Zealand but, as nzwine.com observes, “has enjoyed a dramatic rise to fame and
is now the third most popular white variety”.
Combine these two forces with the growing trend for lifestyle wines, and the result is the new organically grown,
naturally crafted, lighter in alcohol Mission Estate Pinot Gris.
It’s 25 per cent lower in alcohol and 15 per cent lower in calories than Mission Estate’s standard Pinot Gris – while
expressing the distinctive acidity and floral aromas that make the varietal such a favourite with wine lovers.
“After 35 vintages, developing this wine has been one of my more memorable challenges,” says Mission Estate’s head
winemaker Paul Mooney. “We weren’t prepared to compromise on the quality simply to reduce the alcohol content.”
The fruit is from a single vineyard, Mission Estate’s organically certified home block at Taradale, where they’ve been
growing grapes for over a century. The grapes were harvested early and naturally fermented, creating a wine that is
lighter in alcohol, yet still a crisp, beautifully balanced example of a classic Pinot Gris.
“Last year, a study conducted across the US, UK and six other Northern Hemisphere countries showed that 38 per cent of
wine drinkers were buying wines with alcohol levels below 10.5 per cent,” says Mission Estate CEO Peter Holley. “Health
conscious New Zealanders are also increasingly choosing lower alcohol wines. Our new Pinot Gris contains just 9.5 per
cent alcohol, and is an exciting first step for Mission Estate into this rapidly developing market.”
RRP $16. Available from Mission Estate and at all leading wine retailers.
www.missionestate.co.nz
ENDS