Early pickings for bubbly production began roughly three weeks ago when the main harvest began for some of the warmest sites. Local trophy successes were the 2018 Ata Mara Central Otago Riesling and the 2014 Wild Earth Reserve Earth and Sky Pinot Noir. Locally, gold medals went to 2018 Tatty Bogler Waitaki Valley Pinot Gris, 2017 Akarua Central Otago Pinot Noir, 2017 Fifth Bridge Central Otago Pinot Noir and 2016 Wild Earth Pinot Noir. Richly textural, fresh fruit- driven palate adding nashi pear notes with a core of spice. www.providorewines.comPrice: $26 (cellar door)Rating: Very goodThe sweetly fragrant pear and spice notes leap out of the glass, becoming more subtle over time.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 19, 2019 14:26 UTC