Aromatic, fleshy & spicy. An old-world grape doing exciting things in our Mt Benson climate.

Seasons: Winter

Grape: Malvasia Istriana (Mahl-vah-zee-ah Is-tri-yana)

As the Croatian name Malvazija Istarska and Italian name Malvasia Istriana suggest, the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia’s north-west is the common homeland for this fresh, yet weighty variety. Skin contact fermentation is also common practice in this region for their white varieties, just as we associate with red wine methods here. We found Mount Benson, with its cold winters, early spring frosts, summer sun and erratic winds almost mimics this variety's original home.

Fruit is hand-picked & crushed. 50% is then fermented naturally in an open top barrel on skins, while the other 50% is basket pressed & fermented on light solids in a 400L ceramic vessel. The ferment lasts for 7 days before blending back together.

Exotic aromas of jasmine lead to a medium bodied palate of white necatarine and brown pear. The weight of fruit coats the mouth with wonderful texture, until some firm quince phenols firm-up the spine. Some wonderful skin-contact tannins provide notes of cardamom and nutmeg, ensuring a savoury, slightly chewy finish. A perfect warming white wine to have in the depths of a cold front, and the perfect white for a red wine drinker.

Decant and serve at 8-10 degrees.