White Wine Tunella Rjgialla Ribolla Gialla 2020. Set in the verdant eastern hills of Friuli, Tunella was founded in the 1960s by local farmer Min Zorzettig. In the 1990s his grandchildren decided to completely modernise the winery and reduce production to focus on quality over quantity. In total they have some 70 hectares of vines planted on terraces that act as sun traps and are cooled by breezes from the nearby Adriatic Sea. To produce the best fruit possible, the family do all of the work in their vineyards by hand and use indigenous yeasts for fermentation. Their minimalist approach in the winery allows the beauty of the Friuli terroir to shine through, with the unique ponca” or marl and sandstone soils helping to craft elegant, perfectly-balanced white wines. This Ribolla Gialla is a great example of this traditional local variety, with the fruit fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged on the lees over the winter to add extra polish and complexity. Delicate notes of hawthorn blossom, plum, peach and apple dominate on the nose while the palate offers a light body, mouthwatering acidity, and a fresh finish with subtle hints of minerality. A great wine to serve as a refreshing aperitif or partner for oysters, grilled fish, leafy salads, or spicy Asian dishes.
2020
White Wine Tunella Rjgialla Ribolla Gialla 2020
White Wine Krauthaker Chardonnay Rosenberg 2020. Decanting time: Enjoy upon opening. This delightfully dry Chardonnay encapsulates a lot of freshness and full, round fruitiness with a bit of an attitude. The wine is lighter in colour than the average glass from this varietal, with a crisp straw-yellow colour enhanced by soft, green hues. Soft and unsuspecting on the nose, the bouquet hints at the white stone fruits local to this part of Croatia along with vanilla, lemon zest and pink grapefruit carried by undertones of oak and smoke. Lively mouthfeel, good acidity and some creamy round sweetness, and the minerality is restrained yet appealing. A strong finish with lingering woody and smoky notes. Grown in Kutjevo, on the southern slopes of Krndija, the Kruathaker Chardonnay vineyards range in altitude between 240 and 300 metres. The wine is aged mostly in used wood barriques in order to achieve a nuanced approach and then the fresh fruitiness is captured with the final stage in stainless steel containers. This selection is very enjoyable to sip on its own or with any range of light fare, including oven baked fish, salmon steak or pasta. A refreshing, unfiltered Croatian Chardonnay from Krauthaker that is immensely popular in restaurants, because of its versatile pairings and overall accessibility. Serve in a larger glass at 13 to 14 degrees Celcius.The liveliness of this Kruathaker Chardonnay is meant to be enjoyed and not stored too long. Drink within the first five years.
2020
White Wine Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2020. Vasse Felix is Margaret River’s very first modern winery thanks to the foresight of Dr Tom Cullity who started planting vines here in the 1960s. Today the property is known for its excellent cool climate wines which capture the very essence of the unique local terroir. White wines from Vasse Felix tend to be elegant and refined with plenty of maritime character from the nearby Indian and Southern Oceans. This exceptional cuvee is Vasse Felix’s flagship white wine crafted from a small selection of top quality parcels. All of the fruit is harvested by hand and pressed in whole bunches before being fermented using wild yeasts in French oak barrels. After 9 months of ageing on the lees the wine is deemed ready for bottling and eventual release. The result is a rich, powerful Chardonnay with ripe fruit flavours carefully balanced by plenty of mouthwatering freshness. Zingy notes of citrus, ripe peaches, and apple dominate on the nose while the first sip reveals a medium body, solid core of fruit, and a long, measured finish. A great wine to keep in the cellar for a few more years or to enjoy now alongside creamy chicken dishes, roasted vegetables, or creamy cheeses.
2020