Pinot Noir: Rest of the New World
2017 Gold: 2 Silver: 6 Bronze: 6 Commended: 14
2016 Gold: 2 Silver: 6 Bronze: 12 Commended: 8
One of the interesting elements of the Sommelier Wine Awards is watching the shifts in the way medals are distributed within categories, how a big haul of Bronzes one year moves to Silvers the next and an increased Gold presence the year after, as winemakers get the hang of a style.
Well, sadly, on this evidence Pinot producers outside New Zealand and the US are going the other way, with 2015’s bubble of Silvers moving into Bronze last year and then down to Commended this year.
Australia is an honourable exception – its numbers are steady. But Chile, Argentina and South Africa look to be lacking in direction here. We’d hoped for better.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘There were some really solid examples of a restrained style of Pinot Noir from Australia. And there were pretty reasonable prices on the whole, too. The stuff under £10 isn’t necessarily amazing, but £14-£16 is the sweet spot.’ Laura Rhys MS, team leader
‘The Australian Pinots were aromatic, with a pepperiness in some that made them a good match for meat or fish.’ Benoît Poulain, Adam’s Restaurant
‘I think Chile is still finding its way with Pinot Noir. Hopefully in a couple of years, we’ll see better examples.’ Marcin Oziebly, The Wild Rabbit
‘I thought the Pinot Noirs from Argentina were very good. They showed some real elegance, with good fruit, and with some really fair prices, too.’ Mattin Larraburu, Sexy Fish