Innovative Champagne house G.H. Mumm has looked to Central Otago for the first time, its second New Zealand region in the Terroirs collection, following the inaugural release of Mumm Marlborough in 2020. It is the first time a Champagne house has collaborated to make a sparkling wine from the region.
Made from hand-harvested pinot noir grapes, Mumm Central Otago Blanc de Noirs epitomises the sophisticated style of elegant and finessed pinot noir for which the region is renowned.
The Mumm Terroirs collection celebrates prestigious wine regions known for producing exceptional pinot noir, building on G.H. Mumm’s 200-year history of crafting pinot noir-forward wines.
Each of the sparkling wines in the Mumm Terroirs collection celebrates each region’s true sense of place and unique terroir, and includes last year’s Mumm Tasmania Brut Prestige release and, from New Zealand’s Marlborough region, Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige and Mumm Marlborough Brut Rosé.
Influenced by the surrounding mountain ranges and cool climate, Central Otago is ideal for growing outstanding pinot noir with elegance and finesse.
Under the stewardship of Chief Winemaker Jamie Marfell, combined with the G.H. Mumm pinot noir savoir faire, the wine is produced using méthode traditionnelle, the same process used by Maison Mumm.
The Mumm Central Otago Blanc de Noirs is one of finesse, power and elegance with complex aromas of black cherry and red plum, complemented by toasty notes of brioche. The palate is elegantly structured with delicate fruit flavour, a fine creamy texture and refreshing natural acidity, while the finish is fresh with lingering flavours of citrus and nougat with a refreshing mineral acidity.
Marfell, who is based in Marlborough, has been creating still and sparkling wines for two decades, including from the Central Otago region.
“Central Otago is the jewel in the crown when it comes to premium pinot noir in New Zealand, so I was pretty excited to liaise with the best growers in the region when we decided to launch our third NZ sparkling,” he said.
“The quality of the pinot noir is clearly seen in the glass. The result is delicate fruit flavours, a fine cream texture and natural acidity resulting in a fresh finish and lingering flavours of citrus and nougat.”
Mumm Terroirs is created in collaboration between Champagne house G.H. Mumm and renowned wine producer Pernod Ricard Winemakers. The collection is the accomplishment of passionate winemakers sharing their winemaking and local knowledge to create modern sparkling wine using time-honoured expertise to highlight the terroir and Pinot Noir variety.
Mumm Central Otago Blanc de Noirs launches in New Zealand and Australia during October for an RRP of $60.