Pegasus Bay Riesling is a single-vineyard wine that is harvested from the Waipara Valley in New Zealand. This Riesling is considered to be one of the best examples from the region, exhibiting incredible complexity, elegance and acidity. The wine is produced with minimal intervention, allowing the terroir to express itself fully in the final product.

The nose of this wine is a bouquet of citrus fruits, particularly lime and lemon, along with green apple and mineral undertones. On the palate, the wine is dry and refreshing with a vibrant acidity balanced by a delightful sweetness, creating a beautiful harmony. The finish is long, zesty and characterized by a delightful mineral complexity.

Pegasus Bay Riesling is a versatile wine that can be enjoyed young but also benefits from aging, developing depth and complexity over the years. It can be paired with a variety of dishes, from spicy Asian cuisine to seafood and salads.

Tasting Notes

On release the colour is lemon-straw. The bouquet is an alluring potpourri of zesty citrus and green apple, interwoven with spice, perfume, floral notes and a mineral core. The palate is rich and supple, with elegant poise and a textured mouthfeel. A refreshing whip of acidity adds length and ensures the wine’s off-dry finish is harmoniously balanced. There is a lovely freshness on the close that creates liveliness and a pleasing tension.

About the Winery

The story of Pegasus Bay starts with the history of the Donaldson family. The family has been involved and immersed in all the processes of the wine industry since the early 1970s. They were pioneers and developers of various unique and better ways of growing grapevines locally and producing wines from them. Ivan Donaldson, a consultant neurologist and associate professor, became interested in the art of winemaking. It started when Christine, his girlfriend, handed him a book named Wine, written by Hugh Johnson, a legend in the English industry.

The book set Ivan on an incredible and exciting journey, one that never ceased once it started. It urged him to explore the renowned wine areas of Europe. After his trip, Ivan came back to plant a vineyard that now is one of the first of the modern-day Canterbury. It was at this time that he married Christine. She, later on, became an integral element to the story of Pegasus Bay.

By the middle of the 1980s, the couple realised the worth that Canterbury had in the industry of winemaking. They grew the property and operations of Pegasus Bay extensively with the help and support of their four sons. The vineyards owned by the winery got planted back in 1985, producing exceedingly low yields per grapevine. They give small berries and loose bunches per harvest.

The vineyards remain in the vicinity of the Teviotdale Range, getting a high level of protection from the easterly breezes of the Pacific. The soil has free drainage properties with low fertility. They help in enhancing the naturally reduced vigour and flavour of the grapevines. It, in turn, helps develop and grow high-quality and juicy grapes ripened to an optimal degree. Wines produced using these fruits can express the characteristics and qualities of their unique setting.

https://www.pegasusbay.com

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