Peregrine Rastasburn Riesling 2014
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Peregrine Wines winery and vineyards are located in the southernmost grape-growing region in the world, at latitude 45 degrees south, in Central Otago, the heart of New Zealand’s South Island. Central Otago is New Zealand’s only inland and elevated wine growing region, with vineyards nestled in breathtaking river valleys, clinging to snow-capped mountainsides or perched gently on the shores of crystal clear lakes. Peregrine Wines is named in honor of New Zealand’s endemic falcon (Karearea in Maori), a bird without rival or fear. A bird that combines both power and finesse, the essence of Peregrine’s range of wines. A boutique, artisanal producer, Peregrine focuses on Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Chardonnay. It is a brand that has, since its first vintage in 1998, gained a reputation both domestically and internationally as one of New Zealand’s iconic wine brands. The winery has been awarded numerous international and domestic trophies, gold medals, and accolades that fully justify this status.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
Home to the globe’s most southerly vineyards, which are cultivated below the 45th parallel, Central Otago is a true one-of-a-kind wine growing region, but not only because of its extreme location.
Central Otago is more dependent on one single variety than any other region in New Zealand—and it isn’t Sauvignon blanc. They don’t even make Sauvignon blanc there.
Pinot Noir claims nearly 75% of the region’s vineyards with Pinot Gris coming in a far second place and Riesling behind it. This is also New Zealand’s only wine region with a continental climate, giving it more diurnal and seasonal temperature shifts than any other.
The subregion of Bannockburn has enjoyed the most success historically but the area’s exceptional growth has moved to the promising regions of Cromwell/Bendigo and Alexandra districts. Central Otago is known for its fruity and full-bodied Pinot noir. With the freedom to experiment here, growers and winemakers are easily exhibiting the area’s great potential.