New Zealand's wine industry is claiming a "major coup" after influential British wine writer and broadcaster Jancis Robinson MW agreed to appear at a big conference in the country.
Robinson is the first of 15 speakers to be revealed for Pinot Noir NZ in 2017, a conference which claims to be the international wine industry's biggest in the southern hemisphere and which is only held every four years.
Conference chair Ben Glover described Robinson as "the most powerful woman in the wine world" and said she would add "X-factor" to the event.
"As an opinion leader, Jancis has built an international reputation as a highly respected, disciplined and professional wine critic and writer, who is always open to new ideas and discussion," he said.
"She is a dynamic injection to Pinot Noir NZ 2017 and will get us all energised and thinking about where we are now, how we have evolved and where we see our potential as we embark on a fantastic future.
"New Zealand Pinot Noir has reached an exciting era and we need to tell our story to the world."
Robinson said New Zealand seemed to be making more intricate and expressive Pinot every year.
"I'm really looking forward to getting to grips with how New Zealand's different regions now express themselves through Pinot Noir," she said.
Pinot Noir NZ kicks off in Wellington on January 31, 2017 and will feature 100 producers showcasing over 300 wines.