Paul Henry … Invivo’s Newest Winemaker

Media information
November 18, 2016

Paul Henry … Invivo’s Newest Winemaker

When Invivo winemakers were looking for a personality to make a Pinot Noir to match Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc, they looked no further than Paul Henry. Now Paul ‘The Palate’ Henry can add winemaker to his career.

The self-confessed Pinot Noir expert was happy to team up with Invivo, the makers of award-winning Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc, to produce a limited edition run of Paul Henry’s Own Pinot Noir.

Henry, who jokes about his highly attuned taste buds and advanced palate, says “I have been in training for this for years, most recently fine-tuning my expertise by specialising on reds, particularly Pinot Noir”.

Invivo co-founder Tim Lightbourne says, “When Paul put up his hand, we put a glass in it. Paul sees himself as bit of a wine buff, so we taught him about the blending process, then sat him down at the blending bench and said ‘go for it’”.

The experience was filmed by Invivo to give the public a glimpse of Paul’s winemaking.

Paul says they found perfection with his Pinot Noir blend: “It looks bloody fantastic, it’s got a great nose, and it is very, very flavoursome and smooth.

“The advantage was my superior palate as I was able to distinguish the key selling points and king hits from each vineyard.

“My blend features a unique mix of Pinot Noir grapes from four of Invivo’s top Central Otago growers in Bannockburn and Gibbston Valley. It’s absolutely delicious.”

Lightbourne adds: “Like Paul, we’re sure his wine will raise eyebrows, divide opinions and get people talking well into the evening. Instead of getting up people’s nose, he is slipping down their throat!”

On the final tasting after the wine was bottled at Invivo’s Te Kauwhata winery, Paul was impressed with the result: “You have to buy this wine… seriously, this is a seriously good wine!”

Pinot Noir fans can get their hands on Paul Henry’s limited edition wine at Glengarry and WineFriend from Friday 18 November, priced at $29.95 (RRP).

The full blending process can be viewed online here. Paul will also be hosting a tasting down at Glengarry Victoria Park from 4pm today, Friday 18 November.

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Paul Henry’s Own Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 14% ABV
Region: Central Otago
Winemaker: Paul ‘The Palate’ Henry
Tasting note: Paul says “Smells fantastic, lovely little after flavour…we have found perfection!”
RRP: NZ $29.95
Stockists: Glengarry and WineFriend

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