Who does PINOT NOIR better??? Australia vs New Zealand

[@karlinggard]

Giant Steps, Oakridge and By Farr are some favorites of mine when it comes to Australian Pinot Noir. Felton Road, Burn Cottage, Craggy Range, Dog Point are a few of my favorites from NZ. I like the depth and acidity from New Zealand Pinots a lot, I frankly think the potential there is higher than in Australia 😅

[@drmatthewhorkey]

All fabulous producers!

[@jrey7171]

Bass Phillip in Australia, Rippon in NZ

[@jameswingad3212]

I actually don´t drink much pinot from either place as they´re tough to get hold of in Germany but I absolutely love the By Farr wines with Tout Pres probably my favourite. They are quite pricey though.

[@stroopwafel6141]

But you have pinot noir in abundance in Germany, isn't it?

[@jameswingad3212]

@@stroopwafel6141 Yes and it can be great both in terms of quality and wine though stylistically there are differences so I make sure I taste plenty from the new world when visiting family in the UK.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Farr is stellar!!! So it German Spatburgunder too though :)

[@paulfountain3295]

I do like Martinborough pinot and am pretty partial to the pinots from Escarpment, although there is a lot to enjoy elsewhere too. On the Australian pinots, I think it can be pretty hard to pin down a style to a region as several of the main pinot regions are quite large or have a fair amount of geographical diversity. There are 4 distinct sub regions on the Mornington Peninsula for example, while it is a bit ridiculous that Tasmania is a single region. Gippsland is also very large. I'd rate the Bindi block 5 from the Macedon region as my pick for the top Australian pinot, not that I can afford to drink it.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Well said! I’m a fan of the Macedon Ranges too. A lot of people forget how HUGE Australia is!

[@ongcheonghock]

WHAT!! No Mornington Peninsula wines?? My favourite Aussie wine region. Wonderful, luscious pinots and amazing chardonnays.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Not this time! Good region for sure

[@Secretlyanothername]

At the mid range I prefer Mornington pinots to Otago, lighter and softer but still very flavoursome. But both very good!

[@damayor62]

Outstanding as always Matthew and what an incredible blind. I must hang my head in shame as I don't think I've ever had an Aussie or Kiwi Pinot Noir. And because of that, I now have a lengthy shopping list for tomorrow. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhh enjoy the hunting!

[@minka8047]

Matt we lost that battle to the kiwis tolpuddle , Dalrymple, Bannockburn, Giaconda and giant steps still a step off from Ata rangi, Felton road and Ripon

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Those last three producers are stellar indeed

[@laureengillam8108]

I'm a Kiwi, so I am biased. I also prefer Martinborough to Otago and can recommend Luna Estate. From Marlborough try Dog Point and Fromm.

[@gustavomgomes]

Just tasted a NZ PN and it was great . I find PN the easiest wine to drink and yet the hardest one to get right ! Great content ! Cheers !

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thanks!

[@welshtoro3256]

Great review as always. I really need to sort out my tasting of 'New World.' I know there's good stuff but I just can't get over that jam. It's my problem and I have to get over it.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahaha I’m sure you’ll get out and explore

[@Blair338RUM]

The Shaw and Smith is always a great buy. I prefer Martinborough to Central Otago as well.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good call on both points

[@Blair338RUM]

@@drmatthewhorkey 👍🤣

[@philiprosser1925]

Great video and comparison! If you get a chance to taste any Hoddles Creek Estate Pinot's please do. The Estate is great value at $26AUD. They also do an entry level range called Wickhams Road which is phenomenal value at $20AUD a bottle. Another great producer from Tasmania is Delamere Vineyard (if you can get your hands on any)!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Those are producers that I believe are only available domestically

[@solomonmengeu1003]

When I was in Taiwan, I did enjoy Aussie and Kiwi PNs. I think in contential Europe they are hard to find. Australia is synonymous with Shiraz and New Zealand for SB. Maybe in the UK it's different, IDK. German PN is the value one here, with Austrian PN being nice as well. Great video and lots of fun. Cheers!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I miss drinking them while living in Asia... They are pretty darn hard to find in Europe outside the UK

[@peterkim5135]

Kiwi subscriber here. Its true central otago PN are being hyped and thier price reflects that. My preference would be martinborough for PN at any price level > malborough has great budget friendly PNs > central otago when going for acidity. Also to mention, theres vintage variance for PN more than there is for NZ sav blanc. Top producers are generally more consistent across different vintages. For budget friendly you ill need basic knowledge to buy the right one. Just imo

[@ShimMaestro]

You are right, there are some great and more affordable PN in Martinborough, Gimblet, and Canterbury. some of my local PN are even sub $20nzd and they drink absolutely fine. But I still feel like some Bannockburn, Alexandra, and Waiheke are just not replaceable by other regions. Is there your favorite maker in Martinb.? D

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Agreed, there is basically no vintage variation in NZD SB 😆

[@peterkim5135]

​​@@ShimMaestro so far ive tried tk, craggy road, ata rangi but id really like to try poppies. Heard some great feedbacks from one of my mates who went there recently. Atm im drinking some of the ned pinot noir and because i watched this youtube clip. Whats your fav? Any recommendations please?

[@johnduncan9253]

You really need to get to Martinborough Matt.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I’ve been but just passed through. Would like to go on a focused trip!

[@maryverzella9841]

Always complex, even the lower priced PN's. Love them. Ever try Cigar Box PN? Can we say Barnyard lol Pairs great with any kind of food . Great PN's here is Toronto area from Australia and New Zealand under 20 bucks .

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Wow that is value esp in Canada!

[@OrionMetallica]

Picardy in the Great Southern region of Frankland River are putting out some exceptional stuff. Only gaining traction within Australia the last few years despite being around a while. Watch this space

[@andrewcarson9981]

Their wines are actually grown and made in Pemberton. Another region adjacent to Frankland River. Forested area with tall tall Kari trees. Beautiful place

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I love the Greath South and Pemberton regions too!

[@rafaelgamboa6109]

Desde Costa Rica, no pierdo un video, muy buenos quería preguntarte si podes hecer una cata de pinot noir joseph cattin, Francia alsace, para mi es un excelente pinot noir. Saludos muchas gracias

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thanks for watching. It’s an affordable wine so what is important is if YOU like it

[@ttjwoon]

Thanks for the intro’s will have to get into those kiwi wines sometime

[@drmatthewhorkey]

You for sure have to!

[@johnduncan9253]

A few Kiwi pinots to keep an eye out for: McArthur Ridge reserve, anything by Matt Connell especially the Rendition range, anything in the Pyramid Valley range especially Earth Smoke and Snakes Tongue, and Escarpment. If you like more fruit, say over savory notes, Auntsfield and Greywacke from Marlborough are nice wines.

[@cryptaquarian7365]

Smith and Sheth are the MW and foreign investor who also bought pyramid valley

[@drmatthewhorkey]

You got that right!

[@MortenPejterRoitmann]

great vid, thanks 😊

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Marco-j4y9p]

Love his misprounciations of just about every place name he mentioned. And I also love where he said "it could be from Australia or New Zealand ". That would be true.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

😬👍🏼

[@joe-zp7ge]

i love pinot/burgundies. unfortunately the new zealand/australia pinots dont hold a candle to the oregon/california varieties. i dont get the floral aromas , tobbacco, and as much fruit from zea/aus. their more austere and rigid. i will keep hunting for a great one though

[@drmatthewhorkey]

There are great ones to be had for sure

[@stroopwafel6141]

I nearly never drink pinot noir from AUS and NZL, as it is not my favourite grape and they're in general not cheap, so I hardly purchase these wines. I do like AUS shiraz and cabernet(blends) and NZL sauvignon blanc.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Yes they aren’t cheap indeed

[@stroopwafel6141]

@@drmatthewhorkey But why pinot noir in general is way more expensive than other grape varieties. I'm not talking Burgundy here, because the reason there is clear: low production, high demand.

[@JohnAmidon-c6r]

So, of course, I'd take the Giant Steps Sexton Pinot! It's reminiscent of Riesling, after all!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It’s a gorgeous wine esp with time in the glass

[@charliep9066]

Nice video overall. Makes me thirsty for PN. I like your videos, I just wish they were a bit more slower paced. Blind tastings are always fun.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🙏🙏

[@nichotime]

yay!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

😬😬😬🍷

[@charliep9066]

I LOVE pinot noir, but I HATE when people describe it as 'haunting' like they just saw Sideways lol. It's among the best for me, and a beautiful wine, but it definitely doesn't haunt me lol. That descriptor is just cringe.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

HHahaha I kinda like that descriptor and scene… Nebbiolo aromas ‘haunt’ me more than Pinot usually - w the exception of great Burgundy

[@charliep9066]

@@drmatthewhorkey Nebbiolo is my wine true love. How's that for cringe? lol Agreed, Barolo is my favorite of all wines, and I liked your descriptor of the "dance on the palate" - its when everything in the wine is harmony, and that's exactly how it feels. Burgundy is right up there too. I find both grapes to produce the most elegant and beautiful wines of them all. I haven't as many PNs from Australia and NZ, so I found this video interesting.

[@londonman8688]

NZ does better lighter wines. oz do the best shiraz's

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Some NZD Pinot can be pretty rich snd concentrated

[@nickkowal6537]

I cannot bring myself to love pinot

[@JohnAmidon-c6r]

My sympathies....😮

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It’s all good