Pinot Noir is king of Central Otago's vineyard area while Pinot Gris is queen, in terms of numbers. Together, these two incredibly popular grape varieties - and the wines they make - define the southernmost wine region in the world, Central Otago. But while Pinot Noir is well known as the hero grape variety, Pinot Gris is still carving a niche for itself. 

This latest Gris from the deep south is an excellent expression of a warmer area within a cool climate region; Bannockburn. This majestic corner of Central Otago is home to the grapes in this wine, which are grown on Felton Terraces on north west facing slopes with an east-west row orientation on light alluvial soils, which lie on top of schist rock. 

My review of Mora Pinot Gris

18/20
2024 Mora Bannockburn Pinot Gris RRP $38

Creamy pear aromas are underpinned by crisp fresh apple tastes in this fleshy, full bodied and dry Gris from the world's southernmost wine region, Central Otago. This wine contains two grams of residual sugar, putting it firmly in the dry category and its vibrant fresh acidity is kept in check thanks to a high diurnal range which means warm sunny days ripen the grapes and cool nights retain their freshness. That freshness shines through in this new release. 

The statistics

Central Otago has 2,163 hectares of producing vineyard land, of which Pinot Noir occupies 1,765 and Pinot Gris 171 - ahead of Chardonnay with 105, Riesling with 54 and Sauvignon Blanc with 40.