Brokenwood Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris is widely planted in Alsace, France and is in fact a mutation of Pinot Noir, best noted for its coloured berries and sometimes deeply coloured wine (for a white that is). Pinot Grigio, as it is known in Italy, ranges from a full-bodied white to a rather plain wine if picked before full ripeness. In terms of winemaking technique, both the French and Italians often leave some juice solids in the ferment to produce a fuller style. Here, the wines benefit from the cooler terroir but still have richness to them. The true character of Alsatian Pinot Gris lies somewhere between the intense perfume and musk of Gewurztraminer, and the floral finesse and purity of Riesling. An excellent winter rainfall and a dry spring were the perfect ingredients for a top vintage. A consistent harvest was seen after the very compressed vintage in 2016. The first fruit was harvested on the 18th of February, 16 days later than 2016. Excellent fruit quality across the entire vineyard.