At the moment I’m in London. And it is not difficult to see why many people call it the wine capital of the world. It is easy to be a wine writer in London – the winemakers come to you! I’ve been invited to a few interesting – and very international – tastings recently and the first I’ll be uploading on our Notes from the Road section brought wines from quite far south… from Waihopai, one of the Southern Valleys of New Zealand’s Marlborough region.
Jackson Estate is a winery based in Waihopai (with a tasting room that has been modelled on a hobbit house by the art director of Lord of the Rings) but their main vineyard is in Waihopai Valley where wine director Jeff Hart explains the soil gives their Pinot the dark berry and earthy characteristics:
If you want to taste some of the Waihopai Valley wines try the Vintage Widow Pinot Noir (available in the UK at Majestic and Ocado at £19.99) or their top-of-the-range Gum Emperor, which is only made in exceptional vintages (available at TheDrinkShop.com for £26.99).
