Rapaura Springs have turned plenty of heads with their current releases - the Reserve Pinot Noir is little short of jaw dropping. Drinking beautifully now expect a nose that's ripe, plush and jammed full of seductive fruit and spice smells, while textbook silky mouth-feel leads to a long fine finish. Drink it with five spice duck and rice.

It’s this trade-off of acid for tannin that makes pinot noir so food friendly. Pinot works well with salmon and ocean trout, their (Omega 3-rich) oiliness lapped up by pinots exuberant acidity and is the perfect red with soft brie-style and washed-rind cheeses, coming into its own with blue cheese. Try a soft Saint Augur cheese from the Auvergne with the Celsius Pinot Noir for a new flavour sensation.

Terra Sancta Estate Pinot Noir is a bright crimson-red hued wine. The fragrant bouquet is perfumed with lavender and thyme, while the dense and lively palate is rife with flavours of plums, dark cherries and fresh raspberries, ultimately leading to a long, silky and delicate climax. Crafted to relish upon release, this delightful Pinot Noir can also be cellared for about 10 years. Drink this aromatic red wine with slow roast pork belly and roast turkey.

Central Otago Pinot's are generally more user-friendly than Burgundy; Rabbit Ranch is very soft fruit-forward style with soft tannins; best enjoyed young.

Pale straw coloured with a nose of sweet pear, apple and lifted spices such as lemon grass. A great mouth feel that is crisp and dry with minerality running through it. Seafood anyone?.

Central Otago is regarded as the best for NZ Pinot Noir. Ripe bouquet of satsumas, plum & meat. Firm soft tannins.

Approachable, generous and flavoursome with a silken elegance. Berry fruits come to the fore with gentle dried herb notes in the background. Medium bodied, the palate is finely structured with lovely soft lingering tannins which integrate perfectly with the soft supportive acid and plush fruit.

Dedicated solely to perfecting the variety, Black Grape Society have come mightily close to Pinot perfection with this Cromwell Basin sourced beauty. Deep and rich in flavour and colour, the juicy plum, cherry and blackberry palate make way for a ripe savoury finish.

This wine has an intriguing, bright garnet hue, captivating on the nose with ripe cherry, wild strawberries and bramble notes. On the palate, the wine is rich and flowing with tantalising bready sweetness. Rich boysenberry flavours are supported by elegant French oak, lending spice and toasty notes. The finish is lingering and complex, bright with natural acidity.

Nanny Goat Vineyard is the clear leader of the pack when it comes to affordable Central Otago Pinot Noir. Made in a fruit forward style with mounds of fresh berry fruit and intense lifted perfume notes of violet and blueberry. Still medium-bodied on the palate with soft, powdery tannin, this is a Pinot for the moment.