The last time I produced a Minority Report was back in
2007. Looking back at that article, the obscure
groovy wines that I featured were Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Arneis, and
Verdelho.
Viognier and Chenin are much more mainstream
today. And the latter two though still
unusual and produced in tiny amounts are still being produced and not all that
hard to find. More obscure varieties that
are now being trialled and bottled in NZ include Albariño and Grüner Veltliner
(as below) and even some others which I haven’t had a chance to taste yet –
such as Pinot Noir-like red variety St. Laurent and French white grape Marsanne.
Auckland’s Coopers Creek winery have had a name for
innovation in wine varieties, with award-winning winemaker Simon Nunns and
vitculturalist Wayne Morrow experimenting with new grapes for a number of
years. Villa Maria wines, ranking fourth
largest in NZ, under the leadership of Sir George Fistonich is a wine company
committed to progress and originality. I
chose three wines from each company as a chance to explore some of their fringe
wine styles.
Okay. Arneis (pronounced Are-Naise). The Arneis
grape is indigenous to Piemonte in Northwest Italy. Its name means ‘Little
Rascal’ in the local dialect – a reflection of just how difficult this grape is
to grow and vinify. Flavour profile is a
bit hard to nail – but definitely citrus, grapefruit, stone fruit and
marmalade.
Albariño (pronounced
Al-Ba-Reenyo). This Spanish grape
variety produces crisp white wines with stone fruit flavours not unlike
Viognier. In Portugal it is known as
Alvarinho.
Verdelho (pronounced Verdelho!). This is a
Portuguese grape originally from the volcanic, tropical Island of Madeira,
where for hundreds of years it has been one of the constituent grapes in the
fortified and sweet eponymous Madeira wine. It is grown in Spain and Italy, and
has for some time been a reliable crisp dry white in Australia. Here, the style is more full-bodied and lush,
but still with a crisp finish. Often regarded as a good match for seafood
dishes.
Grüner Veltliner. (pronounced Grooner Felt-Leaner). Probably the most famous dry style wine from
Austria. And rumoured to be a distant cousin of Gewürztraminer. Produces fruity, crisp and dry drink young
style wines with sometimes musky flavours.
Grenache (pronounced Gren-Arshe). Hailing from
the Rhône in southern France, this red grape is one of the constituent
varieties in the famous Chateauneuf du Pape blend. In Spain it is the mainstay of Rioja wines.
Flavours are typically floral and spicy, with liquorice and black berry fruit.
Flavours are typically floral and spicy, with liquorice and black berry fruit.
Villa
Maria East Coast Private Bin Arneis
2012 $NZ 20
The Private Bin range is confusingly, the Villa Maria entry level label with prices and bang for buck taking off from there to Cellar Selection, Reserve and Single Vineyard (around $70 a bottle). Not to say that the Private Bin wines are simple quaffers. Aromas of apple sauce, apricot. Crisp, light and delicate flavours of lime and stone fruit.
The Private Bin range is confusingly, the Villa Maria entry level label with prices and bang for buck taking off from there to Cellar Selection, Reserve and Single Vineyard (around $70 a bottle). Not to say that the Private Bin wines are simple quaffers. Aromas of apple sauce, apricot. Crisp, light and delicate flavours of lime and stone fruit.
Funky yeast aromas and a hint of lantana. Flavours of grapefruit, thyme and subtle spice. Dry finish.
Aromas of honey and lemon blossom. Rich palate of stone fruit, herbs and lemon squash.
Aromas of funky yeast, herbs and minerality. Flavours of ginger and mandarin, with a creamy nuttiness.
Tropical fruit and herbal aromas. Flavours of poached pear and lime. A dry style but with a soft middle palate and lengthy aftertaste.
Blackberry, cherry and liquorice aromas. Spiced plum and black currant flavours with mild astringent tannins.
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