Wines Canterbury Pegasus Bay Vineyard - Encore Noble Riesling - 2025

Viniou Reviews

Pegasus Bay Vineyard’s Cuvée Encore Noble Riesling 2025 is a sumptuous sweet white wine hailing from the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. Crafted from Riesling grapes left to develop “noble rot” (Botrytis cinerea), this wine reveals an opulent character with layers of complexity. The 2025 vintage, shaped by cool maritime influences and long autumns, benefits from slow ripening, ensuring pure, concentrated fruit and precise acidity. This noble rot influence imparts the wine’s hallmark aromas of ripe apricot, honey, candied citrus, and delicate floral notes, with a lush yet finely balanced palate.

Canterbury, though one of New Zealand’s lesser-known wine regions, has rapidly gained a reputation for producing world-class aromatic whites, particularly Riesling. The area boasts a cool, dry climate with significant diurnal temperature variation, allowing grapes to retain freshness and develop nuanced flavours. Soils are typically a mix of clay, limestone, and gravel, which aids drainage and mineral complexity. With a relatively brief but dynamic winemaking history, Canterbury’s boutique producers like Pegasus Bay have proved adept at harnessing the region’s unique terroir to craft expressive, long-lived wines.

The Cuvée Encore Noble Riesling pairs exceptionally well with a range of dishes that mirror or complement its sweetness and lively acidity. Classic matches include blue cheeses such as Roquefort or local creamy blues, as well as rich pâtés like duck liver terrine. For a New Zealand touch, try it with honey and spiced glazed ham or pavlova adorned with tropical fruits. Its luscious character also makes it an excellent partner for Thai cuisine or Indian dishes with gentle spices and a touch of sweetness.

To fully appreciate this wine’s aromatic range and texture, serve it lightly chilled at 8-10°C. This temperature accentuates its freshness while allowing the intricate bouquet and rich palate to unfold beautifully in the glass.