2021 Rising Bad Earth Petillant Naturel 750ml

2021 VINTAGE

Vintage at Rising vineyard started on 23rd February with Gewurztraminer, almost two weeks later than vintage 2020. This later picking was due to mild temperatures and a huge amount of rain through January. These conditions allowed the grapes plenty of time to accumulate lots of flavour while still retaining moderate alcohols – 12.5 to 13% on average. 2021 was a goldilocks vintage where everything was just-right, and the resultant wines can be consumed young or cellared for a while. A vintage of balance, energy, and flavour.

VINEYARD

Now, this is fun. Single vineyard - Rising St Andrews. Six blocks hand harvested over three picks – Gewurztraminer (5%), Musk-clone Chardonnay (15%), Savagin (22%), Bernard 76 Chardonnay (20%), Semillon (30%) and Sauvignon Blanc (8%). From parcels the breadth and width of the vineyard. The Sauvignon parcel is so tiny it doesn’t qualify for a mention on the map. These picks spanned almost four weeks, from 23rd February to 18th March.

VINIFICATION

Although six blocks at the Rising vineyard contributed fruit to this wine, there were only three ferments – Gewurztraminer/Chardonnay, Savagnin/Chardonnay and Semillon/Sauvignon blanc (three field blends in one wine!). The four weeks between the first of these picks and the last, gave the first two batches time to ferment to dryness and settle somewhat before blending. All the batches were barrel fermented before being blended in tank. The Sem/Sauv Blanc which was last to be picked, was blended with the other batches prior to the completion of primary ferment, thus contributing residual sugar to the blend. The wine completed ferment in bottle to create pure, fizzy deliciousness.

TASTING

A sparkling citrusy, lemongrass-y drink with Vietnamese mint leaf, some sweet yeasty bread dough characters - contributing a sweet yeastiness. A faint lick of guava on a palate dominated by fresh pear and lemon/ lime Splice; the mousse is creamy, the acid refreshing. If sherbet were a drink, this would be da Sherbet bomb.

ANALYSIS

Alcohol : 14%

pH: 3.35

TA: 7.4g/L