Killer Pinot

“A decade ago, New Zealand growers targeted the bottom 50 per cent of the global pinot noir market, stating it simply wasn’t worth drinking (we agree),” writes The Vancouver Sun’s Anthony Gismondi. “Upon that tenet, they set about the task of replacing said dreary segment with something eminently more drinkable from New Zealand vineyards. Clearly they are winning the battle. Gismondi recommends The Mount Riley Pinot Noir 2008, The Villa Maria Pinot Noir Private Bin 2007 and the “killer” Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2008, amongst others. “We acknowledge Burgundy, France, is the home of pinot noir, and few if any places can match its best, but the current ratio of 123 red Burgundies versus 23 New Zealand pinot noir listings in BC government stores strikes me as a bit out of whack considering the price of New Zealand pinot noir is about 30 to 50 per cent less than what you would pay for the equivalent quality French wine.”