Owned by actor Sam Neil, Two Paddocks is a small family owned winery in the prestigous Central Otago Region. The Two Paddocks Picnic Pinot Noir shows good length and depth in its youth and will develop more complexity with bottle age.

Mt Difficulty is one of Central Otago's oldest and most prestigious vineyards. Having tamed the rugged region since 1992, Mt Difficulty produce wines of utmost character and charm. Their Roaring Meg Pinot Noir shows lovely perfumed blackberry and dark cherry fruits along with a hint of spice. On the palate the wine has a sweet berry character along with balanced, ripe textural tannins that rise gracefully out of the mid-palate to finish the wine.

Quartz Reef Pinot Gris exhibits flavours of ripe pear, peach and marzipan with a rich texture and an off-dry mineral finish. Colour is lemon gold. Aroma is nutmeg, honey, ginger and white peach. The palate is rich and textural with a delicious fine acidity. Cellaring is 3-5 years.

Timeless techniques are used to make Gibbston Valley Gold River Wines. Handpicked fruit is gently crafted into premium Central Otago Pinot Noir. Batch Fermented in small open top tanks, it spends 6-9 months in 100% French Oak.

Yabby Lake's 'no expense spared' approach to viticulture and winemaking, is amply demonstrated in this super Pinot; fresh and fruity with secondary nuances, will please all Pinot lovers on a budget.

Aromas of red fruits, violet and blackcurrants combine with black truffle and spice notes. Fine tannins add texture, complemented by ripe red berry characters and lovely integrated oak. Awards:

This has been a leading light for Central Otago for Pinot Noir, displaying perfumed ripeness with piercing clarity; dark fruits of the forest dominate the aroma, underpinned by floral and spice notes. Red fruit aromatics are underpinned by cherry and Christmas cake spice while the palate is well textured.

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.

Konrad Organic Pinot Noir. Quality has always been the absolute focus for Konrad wines. It starts in the vineyard where no corners are cut and continues in the winery where handcrafting is the standard. Certified organic, this Pinot Noir has aromas of black cherry, mocha and hints of porcini mushroom, underpinned by smokey, earthy flavours and dark fruit on the palate.

Martinborough is considered by many as the home of Pinot Noir - not only in New Zealand but the 'New World' in general. It is hard to argue when wines like this are produced. Pinot Noir superstar, Larry McKenna, hand-crafts a wine that is overflowing with perfumed black, red and green fruit flavours that are all in harmony with the mid-weighted palate. Textured oak and fine-grained tannin give a nod to the fact that this wine will age gracefully for a decade or more. A stunning benchmark.

Victoria's first vineyard is a landmark in the Yarra Valley and an icon of the Australian wine industry. Loads of lovely Pinot character on the nose with ripe cherry gamey notes and hints of "forest floor". Silky in texture the lingering flavour is enhanced by a touch of oak.