Champion Pinot Gris showcases potential for the variety in Marlborough
Champion Pinot Gris showcases potential for the variety in Marlborough
A team effort to create a wine that epitomises Marlborough Pinot Gris has been recognised at the Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
Dashwood Pinot Gris 2024 picked up the Label and Litho Champion Pinot Gris trophy at the show this year, confirming its status as a quintessential taste of Marlborough.
The Marlborough Wine Show aims to champion excellence and provenance and promote the diversity of wines grown in New Zealand’s largest wine region.
Winemaker Susan van der Pol said the wine had been the result of a shared effort between growers and winemakers to create a Marlborough Pinot Gris to be proud of. She shares a little bit more about it below…
Congratulations on picking up the trophy for Champion Pinot Gris! Can you tell us about the winning wine and what makes it so special?
Thank you! This wine is a real team effort, with fruit coming from both company & grower blocks, and from some diverse corners of Marlborough, making this wine a true representation of what we think good Marlborough Pinot Gris can look and taste like.
If you were going to give someone some tips on the best way to enjoy this wine, what would they be - is it good for a certain occasion? Or ideal to pair with a certain dish?
Lightly chilled, best drunk with friends and/or family! It's quite a versatile wine looking equally at home from a summer picnic at the beach, or a casual BBQ, to a more formal sit down dinner.
The Marlborough Wine Show aims to celebrate the quality of Marlborough wines across the spectrum. Why do you think it’s an important competition for the region?
Marlborough makes up such a huge percentage of wines going to bottle or export from this country, and it's important we make and grow wines that truly reflect what a fantastic region it is. The sub-regionality aspect is great to show how diverse the wine styles are that come from Marlborough, and is an important educational function of the show allowing for a fantastic narrative to come out of the region.
How did it feel to be recognised among your peers with this trophy?
It was great to win a trophy for a wine that the entire Foley Marlborough team had a part in, that reflected the hard work of everyone from grape to bottle.
About the sponsors.
Label and Litho
Label and Litho prints millions and millions of labels every year. Founded in 1964, they’re a supplier of self-adhesive labelling to both local and international markets – with a strong focus on high-quality food/beverage, wine, beer and pharmaceutical labelling. Label and Litho is proud of their world-class equipment and has a team of more than 50 dedicated craftspeople who are passionate about their work. They have a solid commitment to providing excellent service to their clients.