Friday, June 24, 2011

A Glass of Garden Tea Party


Black Chook VMR (Viognier Marsanne Roussane) 2008

This wine was enjoyed in the company of some fine ladies, watching a royal wedding, eating scones and jam, and talking about lady-like topics, as befitting the occasion. It's a Marsanne and Roussanne harvested, crushed and fermented together, blended with a separately fermented Viognier.

On first sniff, there’s a fresh, clean, and sweet aroma of stonefruits and apple, and understated violet blossoms - rather like the aromas of a garden teaparty. Put the wine to the light, and you’ll look through a light gold liquid. On first sip, one experiences a clean, green, organic feel. Interestingly, the wine skips over the middle palate (there’s not much to it there) and touches the back with more blossom flavours, and a hint of citrus and acid. Slosh it around, and there’s a mineral sensation. It’s not overly sweet – nor long, in the taste experience, but pleasant enough.

Set the table under a tree, with a cheese platter, scones and jam, and enjoy the winter sun with a glass of this.