In our continuing Central Sunday series, I review one of the region's top-rated wines - the Clyde Village 2015 Pinot Noir.

Competition: Do you want to win a bottle of this wine? Simply read until the end of this article to find out how to enter. 

Chris and John Cockroft have not regretted their change of lifestyle, when their family had all left home, from city living to a rural village.  

John still has his day job, to help support the vineyard, but finds any excuse to get out on the tractor. 

Chris, meanwhile, works full time amongst the vines while enjoying the stunning scenery and climate.

Interesting sidenote, John Cockroft is coincidentally the name of the English scientist who split the atom, and was awarded the Nobel Prize for his instrumental work in developing nuclear power. 

Clyde Village Vineyard’s 2015 Pinot Noir has an award too, including a five-star rating by Wine Orbit for having “outstanding quality showing varietal purity and exemplifying regional type”. 

The wine consistently scores big on reviews and when you learn more about the vineyard, which is an old apricot orchard overlooking Clyde, you appreciate it that much more. 

In 2003 John and Chris planted 1200 vines on the north-west-faced terraced hillside and a further 860 vines on the lower side in 2006. 

Tussocks grow in between the terraces of Clyde Village Vineyard for stability and weed control and there are still about 30 apricot trees. Photo courtesy Clyde Village Vineyard.

The vines are hand-tended from start to finish to ensure quality and Clyde Village is a certified sustainable vineyard. 

The only sprays they use are sulphur, to guard against powdery mildew, and marine products such as kelp for fertiliser and frost protection. 

I was pretty excited to get a test of this wine as it represents the love, care and knowledge the vineyard puts into their wine. 

The tasting notes said the wine is a beautifully maturing pinot; “the complex bouquet shows dried cherry, dark plum, mixed spice and dried herb characters, leading to an elegantly weighted palate that is finely textured and lingering”. 

I’d absolutely agree, and the friends I shared the tasting with agreed wholeheartedly. 

The Clyde Village 2015 Pinot Noir is top drop and should be tried by all wine-loving Central Otago locals. Photo Rowan Schindler.

They threw words at me, like: “smooth”, “fruity aroma”, and said it was “warm, complex and well-rounded, as well as “full-bodied, long lasting mouth and hints of cherries”.

They hit the mark, as the tasting notes state, “the wine is well structured by fine, chalky tannins, finishing long and engaging”. 

In terms of food pairing, my mouth already salivating from the wine, I thought of roasted tomatoes and bruschetta, or slow, fire roasted meats. 

If you would like to know more about, or taste the Clyde Village 2015 Pinot Noir or any of their other wines, drop into their cellar door or purchase online on their website. 

COMPETITION: Do you want to win a bottle of Clyde Village 2015 Pinot Noir? 

To enter, simply email [email protected] and tell us why you think you, or someone you know, deserve this bottle of sparkling wine. 

Entries close midnight Sunday, September 13. 

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Do you have a favourite local product you have enjoyed and would like us to feature? Are you a Central local who makes, produces or sells something you’d like people to know about?

This column is all about encouraging us all to support each other in Central, by featuring the wonderful products we create here or that can be purchased here in our local stores.

If you have a comment or suggestion for future Central Sunday columns, email Mary or Rowan at [email protected]

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