Greenhough Apple Valley Nelson Riesling 2019

Description

This medium-sweet, fragrant style is reminiscent of a fresh, ripe apple delicately scented with citrus blossom. There is a lightness and crunchy liveliness to the feel of this wine in the mouth. The palate is concentrated and linear, bursting with juicy, sweet fruit up front and flowing seemlessly to a refreshingly long, crisp finish. 

Spring temperatures were in line with the historical average. Rainfall was only 60% of the norm but regular enough to promote excellent vine health. Regular, small rainfall events over December maintained balance and flowering conditions were ideal. This was the introduction to a long, dry, warm summer. December/January daytime temperatures were 3-5 degrees C above the historical average. Sunhine hours for January were a NZ record high at 355. Diurnal range over this period was a little greater than usual, particularly through February. Just 3mm rainfall between Christmas Day and harvest began early on Monday 4th March 2019. A function of the near perfect growing season but also a conscious decision on our part to pick fruit while acids remained fresh and sugars were at moderate levels. 30mm rainfall over night on March 8th was significant in the context of the season but not extreme and with a few lay-days to allow conditions to dry out, harvest continued to completion on March 26th. 

This vintage was hand harvested March 19, 2019.

Food Pairing: Lovely served alongside white fish dishes.