Pinot Central To Host International Sommeliers

PRESS RELEASE – FOR RELEASE 25th JULY 2011

Pinot Central To Host International Sommeliers

A group of international Sommeliers will arrive in New Zealand this week to explore all that Central Otago has to offer - jaw dropping scenery, luscious wines, fabulous food and great hospitality.

Sommeliers from Sweden, Germany, Singapore, and Australia are being hosted by 24 local wineries participating in the 2011 E’Sensual Pinot Central Wine Adventure. Held annually, by members of Central Otago Pinot Noir (COPNL). it is a program designed to host key influencers from New Zealand’s hospitality industry and from around the world - to show them what makes Central Otago and its wines so special. Guests will be immersed in the various wine growing sub-regions with events being hosted in Alexandra, Gibbston Valley, Cromwell Basin and Wanaka.

For one particular Sommelier, Caroline Gelinder of Sweden, this trip to Central Otago has special significance. Caroline, recently graduated from The Restaurant Academy in Stockholm as Top Student in their YH-International Sommelier Program. In recognition of her hard work she received a Scholarship to discover New Zealand and attend the 2011 E’Sensual Pinot Central Wine Adventure.

Caroline is employed by one of Sweden’s premier restaurants F12 (www.f12.se) acknowledged in Stockholm for its fine dining, and fine wine list. The opportunity to expand her wine knowledge, in what the world now regards as one of the premium pinot noir producing regions outside of Burgundy, is a unique opportunity. To record her experience in Central Otago, Sweden’s leading lifestyle magazine - Livets Goda, will be publishing Caroline’s daily Blog.

Jan Peterson, Wine Writer for Livets Goda has been instrumental in the development of this scholarship. As the recipient of local hospitality at the 2011 Central Otago Pinot Celebration, Jan Peterson has worked closely with local wineries to make this happen. “It is one of the magazine’s primary ambitions to deepen the knowledge of food and wine among our readers but we also want to give a strong support to those working with wine and those who will work with wine in the future. We are also very proud to have had the confidence from COPNL in Central Otago, in being their partners for such a big commitment”.

Through a unique program of wine tastings, winery visits, and hospitality Caroline, together with all of the E’Sensual sommelier and trade guests will gain a greater understanding of the ‘terroir’ of Central Otago - the people behind the wines - the place.

“With Central Otago wines continuing to be in demand around the globe the Pinot Central E’Sensual program gives us the chance to provide a ‘context’ for the wines “. says Jeff Price of Three Miners, Alexandra. . “At the moment our vines are dormant and resting with winter pruning going on – but when surrounded by snow-capped mountains reflected in our lakes, with a good pinot noir in hand while relaxing beside a roaring fire at the Cardrona Hotel what better way to expose this group to everything that speaks of Central Otago” he said.

Rudi Bauer of Quartz Reef and other leading winemakers will take participants through a series of Masterclasses. At each hosted event the participating wineries have dug deep, bringing out older vintages from their libraries to match the best of Central Otago produce and to illustrate the journey Central Otago winemaking has taken over the last 15 years.

“We are very excited to have initiated this Sommelier Scholarship in Sweden - possibly it is the first ever in New Zealand - and we hope, together with New Zealand Winegrowers that we can extend the opportunity to Sommeliers from other countries allowing them to attend the E’Sensual Pinot Central Wine Adventure program in the future“

“The program will be a journey of discovery for participants and one we trust they will value in their careers”. said Rudi Bauer, Chairman Central Otago Pinot Noir Ltd.

ENDS

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