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Turning Heads in America.

This week we hear from the USA, where the lovely Complexity team share their thoughts on the NZ Pinot Noir market.

 COMPLEXITY – New Zealand Fine Wine is a NZTE and winery funded initiative focused on establishing the credentials of our nation’s fine wine in the US. With a portfolio of impressive wines they showcase hero wines and winemakers at exclusive dinners, tastings and masterclasses in New York, Chicago, California and Texas. We thought we’d some brief thoughts on the perception of New Zealand Pinot Noir in America…

Working within the Euro/California/Oregon-centric US wine market over the past 2 years, we’ve been pleasantly surprised to find ourselves meeting a growing number of both trade and consumers who’ve heard great things about NZ Pinot and are keen to know more. Among this group, Central Otago is typically the most well known region, and so we relish in the opportunity to draw on the 18 top-end NZ Pinots in our portfolio to discuss the variation of character found not only within Central, but of course in Marlborough and Martinborough too. The response is always that of delight and, as a result we’re seeing some fantastic placements of NZ Pinot from all regions on premium wine lists right across the country.

A key player in spreading the word to American’s is the mighty media. The US is absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to high quality, and often enlightened journalists and bloggers with a passion for wine. Just recently a spate of very well known writers such as Wine Spectator’s James Laube, and Snooth’s Gregory Del Piaz, have been giving high praise to NZ Pinot Noir producers in their columns. One of our favorite pieces is this interview with Nigel Greening of Felton Road by Gloria Maroti Frazee of Wine Spectator. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdxmymEHzrc&feature=plcp

Below we’ve complied a brief list of some recent and notable press available on the web from the US and UK (which also impacts the US market). Sadly not all of it is available online so we’ve noted the month of issue in case you don’t have a log-in and are able to get your hands on a printed copy!

 Wine Spectator NZ Tasting Report - Alphabetical Listing

 New Zealand Pinot Noir ~ Gregory Del Piaz, Snooth 

 On The New Zealand Pinot Noir Trail ~ James Laube, Wine Spectator (June 2012)

 "No Worries" With New Zealand Pinot Noir ~ James Laube, Wine Spectator (June 2012)

 New Zealand Pinot Noir ~ Bob Campbell, Decanter (March 2012)

 Pinot Noir from New Zealand – A Smooth Operator ~ Victoria Moor, The Telegraph