D'Arenberg The Money Spider Roussanne
Country: Australia Region: South Australia
Varietal: Roussanne
Colour: White Style: Dry
Producer: d'Arenberg Wines
Description:
d’Arenberg planted Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne in the mid 1990’s, and the first crop of Roussanne from the 2000 vintage was covered in a sea of tiny “Money Spiders” (Erigoninae). Popular belief is that kindness to these little creatures will bring good luck, hopefully in the form of money. Being a nature-lover and slightly superstitious, Chester refrained from sending the spiders to their death. Hence the first release of Roussanne was from the 2001 vintage, by which time the Money Spiders had learned their lesson and moved from the vineyard to the surrounding bushland.
One of the most colourful winemakers in the world, in more senses than one, is Chester Osborn, of D’Arenberg Wines, known for his loud shirts and love of stories. With wines , named as obscurely as the ‘Cenosilicaphobic Cat’, and ‘One old bloke and 3 blondes’, he brings fun to the experience. His D’Arenberg Money Spider Roussanne 2015 is a case in point. Made from the white Rhone grape, Roussanne, it’s a bold, fleshy, white, with bags of ripe apricot, melon and mango fruit, with a generous sprinkle of sweet spice, and a lick of grapefruit. It’s great with richer fish dishes, roast chicken, and middle eastern tagines. Why the name? The first year Chester picked Roussanne, he found the grapes covered in tiny money spiders. Popular belief is that being kind to these tiny creatures will bring good luck, financially, so the spiders were left alone and the first vintage of Roussanne came one year later.
Angela Mount Bath Magazine
Tasting Note:
The nose exhibits a whole array of characters from stone fruits and tropical notes through to nuttiness and an ever so delicate hint of Indian spice. The palate is robust! A luscious mix of pulpy fruit, green mango and papaya. These full flavours gently give way to honey blossom nuances and savoury pistachio notes which linger to a very long finish, adding refinement to the palate.
Food Matches: Pork / Duck / Mussels / Goat Cheese
