2009 Arneis
EAT WITH ... To be enjoyed with all manner of summer fare, Arneis is also perfect to savour with Italian food, pasta and antipasto. Our Viticulturalist, Matthew recommends a chicken, chorizo and asparagus risotto.
CELLAR ... up to 2 years.
PRONUNCIATION ... Arneis [ahr-NAYZ]
Vintage conditions
Rutherglen had another dry year with the on-going drought. The growing season was mild to start, but the heat became extreme which culminated on ‘Black Saturday’. Rutherglen Estates availability to water was critical, and resulted in our vines maintaining freshness with careful monitoring and application of irrigation in the vineyard. The decision to plant varieties which originated in warmer viticultural regions paid dividends this year, with most varieties coping remarkably well. Yields were once again down, resulting in great intensity of flavour.
Rutherglen had another dry year with the on-going drought. The growing season was mild to start, but the heat became extreme which culminated on ‘Black Saturday’. Rutherglen Estates availability to water was critical, and resulted in our vines maintaining freshness with careful monitoring and application of irrigation in the vineyard. The decision to plant varieties which originated in warmer viticultural regions paid dividends this year, with most varieties coping remarkably well. Yields were once again down, resulting in great intensity of flavour.
Tasting notes
Arneis is a white variety traditionally grown in Piedmont in north east Italy, where it is often blended with the red grape Nebbiolo to ‘soften’ the red wine it produces. It is becoming increasingly popular as a white varietal wine both in Italy and in Australia, and in Italy it is sometimes referred to ‘Barolo Blanco’.
Arneis is a white variety traditionally grown in Piedmont in north east Italy, where it is often blended with the red grape Nebbiolo to ‘soften’ the red wine it produces. It is becoming increasingly popular as a white varietal wine both in Italy and in Australia, and in Italy it is sometimes referred to ‘Barolo Blanco’.
The 2009 Arneis is the third vintage of the variety for Rutherglen Estates, and only a small quantity has been made. We continue to be delighted with the freshness of this wine, and feel it complements our Mediterranean portfolio very nicely, being our first ‘Italian style’ white wine.
A small proportion of the wine has been aged in oak to give it further complexity. This style has a slightly herbaceous aroma, flavours of almond and pears, a lovely fresh acidity and lingering aftertaste. We believe this wine to be a perfect summer wine, to be enjoyed with all manner of summer fare!
A small proportion of the wine has been aged in oak to give it further complexity. This style has a slightly herbaceous aroma, flavours of almond and pears, a lovely fresh acidity and lingering aftertaste. We believe this wine to be a perfect summer wine, to be enjoyed with all manner of summer fare!
Winemaking
Given our third vintage with Arneis, we are beginning to see the consistency and elegance of this variety. We ferment our Arneis juice in stainless steel under very fruit-retaining conditions, although 15% has been fermented in two and three year old French hogshead barrels for added complexity. After fermentation, we stir the yeast lees in the tank every two weeks to help build creaminess and texture to the mid palate.
Given our third vintage with Arneis, we are beginning to see the consistency and elegance of this variety. We ferment our Arneis juice in stainless steel under very fruit-retaining conditions, although 15% has been fermented in two and three year old French hogshead barrels for added complexity. After fermentation, we stir the yeast lees in the tank every two weeks to help build creaminess and texture to the mid palate.
Wine detail & analysis
Variety Arneis
Region Rutherglen, North East Victoria
Harvest date February 2009
Release date November 2009
Alcohol 12.5%
Oak treatment 15% fermented in 2 to 3 year old French hogsheads
Total acid 6.2g/L
pH 3.2
Residual sugar Dry, less than 1.0g/l
Variety Arneis
Region Rutherglen, North East Victoria
Harvest date February 2009
Release date November 2009
Alcohol 12.5%
Oak treatment 15% fermented in 2 to 3 year old French hogsheads
Total acid 6.2g/L
pH 3.2
Residual sugar Dry, less than 1.0g/l
BRONZE Rutherglen Wine Show
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