Artis Clare Valley Riesling (Single Vineyard) 2021

Made from low yielding, 25+ year old vines on a friend’s vineyard in Auburn, The fruit was in excellent condition and in balance with the canopy resulting in minimal sorting.

Only free-fun juice was used, handled oxidatively and split into two parcels. The first was fermented at around 12°C in stainless steel, to retain the fresh lime and citrus blossom aromas and flavours. The second parcel was fermented with indigenous yeasts in old French oak barriques, without any refrigeration – a technique that I first learnt about in Austria. Even at temperatures of 25°C, the wild yeasts fermented at a steady 0.3 Baume per day. This slow, steady ferment in old oak contributes texture and weight across the mid palate, without the oaky flavour of new barrels. In the final stages of fermentation, the wine was taken out of barrels and chilled rapidly to retain a small amount of natural residual sugar. The two parcels were then blended and returned to barrels for a few more weeks, on light lees, to allow the flavours to integrate.

The generosity of lime juice flavours, a touch of sweetness and the zesty natural acidity of this wine perfectly complement the robust, spicy flavours of mild Indian curries and South East Asian dishes.