Champagne house G.H. Mumm has released Mumm Central Otago Blanc de Noirs NV, the second blend of this non-vintage sparkling wine from one of the world’s most sought-after Pinot Noir regions.

Influenced by the surrounding mountain ranges and cool climate with some of the most southern vineyards in the world, New Zealand’s Central Otago experiences all four seasons and the seasonal variability combined with low fertility and free-draining soils provides the ideal ‘tension’ required to grow outstanding Pinot Noir.

Chief Winemaker, Trina Smith said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see what this region can do with Blanc de Noirs wines. The intense sunlight that Central Otago enjoys allows for concentrated flavour development and natural phenolic ripeness, while cool nights preserve vibrant acidity.

“This outstanding combination allows grapes to achievegenerous fruit expression whilst still maintaining freshness—ideal for producing finely balanced, and precise sparkling wines.”

Mumm Central Otago Blanc de Noirs has a generous palate of rich, red fruit but is balanced with chalky acid and finely
chiselled tannins. 100% Pinot Noir grapes were hand-harvested entirely from grower-owned vineyards located in differing sub-regions of Central Otago including Tarras, Alexandra and Gibbston Valley.

Smith said: “The grapes were whole-bunch pressed to extract the juice as gently as possible preserving the fruit’s natural elegance.

“We then fermented the individual parcels separately in seasoned French-oak cuves and stainless-steel tanks, using either wild or traditional Champagne yeast, and then left the wine on lees while undergoing full malolactic fermentation.

“The final assemblage brings together selected Pinot Noir components that are then complemented by a proportion of aged reserve wines to deepen complexity, before secondary fermentation, with the wine spending over 36 months en tirage.

“The result is a cuvée that captures purity of aroma and flavour, balanced by vibrant natural acidity for brightness and elegance.”

The Mumm Terroirs Collection includes Mumm Tasmania Brut Prestige and, from New Zealand’s Marlborough region, Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige and Mumm Marlborough Brut Rosé.

Mumm Central Otago Blanc de Noirs NV is available for $50 from leading retailers nationally.