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2009 Viognier Grapes
The Voignier was picked on the 21st of August,
alongside Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc. This is the first crop to be taken
from the Viognier vines, which were planted in March 2007.
Viognier is a variety grown widely in the
Rhone valley (Condrieu) and
therefore thrives in the warm, dry climate. Careful maturity control was
used to ensure that the fruit had developed its full extent of flavour and
aromas. The harvest was conducted at night to ensure that the
grapes were picked at a cool temperature thus ensuring that the fermentation did
not begin while processing the fruit. The berries were dark yellow in
colour, very clean and the juice was
immensely aromatic.
Having chilled the must and racked the juice, the Viognier
was then transferred to oak barrels where fermentation was instigated by adding
yeast. The barrels are stored a temperature controlled environment to ensure
optimum control and there will be regular 'batonnage' or stirring of the lees.
The Viognier will be used as a blending grape due to is
aromatic character and to co-ferment with Syrah to
produce a Cote Rotie style red wine.
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Viognier
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