Wild Earth Central Otago Riesling

Country: New Zealand Region: Central Otago

Varietal: Riesling Vintage: 2018

Colour: White Style: Dry 

VINTAGE: The 2017 growing season was uniquely cool, leading to small bunches and low yields. Luckily, this cool weather reduced disease pressure so fruit remained healthy right up until harvest. Harvest started in the middle of April.

PRODUCER: Wild Earth founder Quintin Quider is an expatriate Californian who has spent many years living on the South Island. He has gathered a small, dedicated team to produce his Wild Earth range in Central Otago. Established in 1998, Wild Earth Wines owns 35 hectares of vineyards in two of the region's finest locations - at the end of Felton Road overlooking the Kawarau River and in the North Lowburn district beneath the imposing Pisa Range.

VINEYARDS: The Riesling grapes are from an award-winning vineyard in Bendigo, Central Otago, planted in 2003. The semi-continental climate and alluvial soils are perfect for growing aromatic varietals and Riesling always thrives here beneath the scorched hills that still show the scars of the gold rush.

VINIFICATION: Healthy Riesling grapes were hand harvested at optimal ripeness. The grapes were then whole bunch pressed and fermented at cool temperatures to retain the fresh aromatics. The fermentation was stopped at the perfect balance of residual sugar and acidity resulting in an off-dry wine with a long zesty finish.

TASTING NOTES: The wine displays a fragrant and lush bouquet of lime, honeysuckle and a subtle touch of flint with flavours of delicious citrus zest. This Riesling has a rich front palate that crescendos to a long and mineral finish with brilliant acidity that will ensure the wine's longevity.