There is a good form of rot that takes place in vineyards whenever the producer wants to make a sweeter-style wine and that is what’s commonly referred to as “noble rot” – hence the name of this wine, “Noble Wrinkled”.  Noble rot makes the sugars more concentrated and the grapes come in looking more like raisins than grapes.

Serving suggestion: Bacon-wrapped, roasted apples with rosemary

Sauterne wines from France are 100% noble rot and this wine is very much in that style and presentation:

Technical Data:

Harvest Dates: 21 March & 29 April

Alcohol by Vol: 11.5%

Chief Winemaker: Chester d’Arenberg Osborn

Senior Winemaker: Jack Walton

Glucose + Fructose: 216 g/L

Titratable Acid: 9.4 g/L

pH:3.40

Bottling Date: 5 January 2009

Price: $20

Nose: Dried apricots, pears, peach skin, golden delicious apples and a splash of honey.

Taste: Very lucious, “Sauterne-like” mouth feel that basks your tongue in what tastes like a pear/apricot reduction glaze. On the finish I get a really nice round-up of pears, sweet apples and a very slight hint of fall leaves. Gorgeous wine that is sure to please many palates.

W.E.P. Rating: 120%

On the web: http://www.darenberg.com.au