France And New Zealand: A Pinot Noir Summit in Wellington

MEDIA RELEASE 13 December, 2016
For Immediate Release

France And Zealand: A Pinot Noir Summit in Wellington

Pinot noir from France and New Zealand will be the subject of a special wine tasting to be held at the French Ambassador’s residence this Friday (16 December 2016).

The tasting will be conducted by a Cuisine magazine wine tasting panel, and the results will be published in the magazine’s March 2017 issue.

“Of the many ties that join France and New Zealand, few are as intriguing as pinot noir,” said Ambassador of France to New Zealand, Her Excellency Madame Florence Jeanblanc-Risler. “The passion New Zealand’s winemakers show for this wonderful grape variety, which has it origins in Burgundy, and the level of successful cooperation between winemakers from both countries, has greatly impressed me since my arrival here. I am proud to be hosting this tasting at the residence.”

Twelve red Burgundies and 12 New Zealand pinots, all from the 2013 vintage, will be tasted blind by the Cuisine panel from 2pm on Friday. The judges will be panel chair and proprietor of Foxes Island Wines John Belsham, lawyer and longtime wine judge John Comerford and Cuisine’s NZ wine writer, author and judge John Saker.

“Burgundy is the revered home of the pinot noir grape; New Zealand is a fast improving new world contender,” said John Belsham. “No grape expresses place as transparently as pinot noir. This tasting will provide an opportunity to discover those expressions and celebrate both their differences and similarities. While we will select a top wine, and others we regard as outstanding, that is not the only goal here.”

Cuisine editor Kelli Brett said the tasting is the perfect addition to the magazine’s next issue.

“Cuisine magazine strives to develop and promote the New Zealand food and wine story. It's interesting to note the closeness between the two countries with regards to pinot noir,” she said. “I want to thank the French Ambassador for her generous gesture in hosting this very special event.”

ENDS

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