KONRAD GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2011

VITICULTURE Harvested at 24.9 brix, this wine is made from grapes grown on our home and the Wall vineyards, both in the Waihopai Valley. They are both located on alluvial river soils, quite close to the Waihopai river. This proximity to the river allows some degree of protection from debilitating frosts. Both vineyards are grown on a cane pruned and trained on a VSP system. Selective bunch thinning, hand leaf plucking and hand harvest are employed using the same team thereby building the required sensitivity demanded by this challenging variety.

Konrad Wines Marlborough Gewurztraminer

WINEMAKING ANALYSIS
Harvest Date: March/April 2011
Alcohol: 13.3 %
Residual Sugar: 11.3 g/L
Titratable Acidity: 5.6 g/L
Packing: 12 x 750ml, screwcap closure
Variety: Gewurztraminer

WINEMAKING After extensive pre-harvest sampling to determine the optimum harvest date, the fruit was harvested in 2 parcels on April 9th. After 6 hours skin contact allowing the flavours to soak into the juice, the grapes were gently pressed with the pressings fraction separated for wild fermentation in old French barrels. The free run underwent ferment in tank and both components remained on lees for 4 months prior to blending and bottling in August 2011.

TASTING NOTES At bottling the wine is a vibrant straw green colour with exceptional clarity. The nose while quite restrained shows classic aromas of lychee, rose petal, ripe red apples, mandarin zest and spice. The palate is deliciously soft and silky, with flavours echoing the aroma with an added dimension of sweetness from alcohol and a fine lacing of residual sugar, not to mention considerable palate weight afforded by genuinely low cropping, well managed fruit.

We have built this wine to last and expect it to increase in complexity with careful cellaring.

Cellaring potential 3 to 5 years.

Ideal with classic European inspired cuisine, try it with roast chicken or pasta dishes, or with Asian dishes but go easy on the chilli.