An extremely rare variety, this planting of Aranel is grown by a family in the Riverina who have one of the only vineyards in the world. Light and citrusy with floral hints, this refreshingly summery variety is perfect on its own.

WBM, August 2020: "A truly obscure white grape variety, created in france in 1961 by crossing Grenache Gris with Saint-Pierre Doré (also incredibly rare). It is hard to find in its native land in Languedoc and Provenance and is grown nowhere else apart from in the Riverina by Berton Vineyards - surpprising given the attractivness of the wine in produces. Berton Vineyards Aranel 2019 ia a delightful white wine with alluring citrus notes and a hint of florals on the bouquet. There are plenty of gorgeous flavours of pear and peaches on the vibrant, crisp palate along with a refreshing finish. Its is drop dead gorgeous. I am confident over time other winemakers in warm climates will plant Aranel and produce classy wines like this one." Dan Traucki.

Click here for tasting notes, but we think Winsor Dobbin summed it up well when he said:

"When did you last enjoy a chilled glass of refreshing aranel?

Ara what, you may well ask. Aranel is an extremely rare grape variety - so rare there have only been two versions produced in Australia; one by Tempus Two that I have not tried and appears to have been discontinued, and this rather delicious version from Berton Vineyards in the Riverina. 

The 2019 Winemakers' Reserve Aranel costs just $14 a bottle, which puts in the the bargain basement bracket for fresh, crisp and light summer whites. 

Aromatic and quite delicate, this is a wine for enjoying chilled so best to sample its stone-fruit and lightish citrus notes. 

So what is aranel? 

It is a rare hybrid variety that originated in southern France and is grown in just one vineyard in the Riverina. 

Aranel is obscure even in the Languedoc and Provence and is derived from Grenache Gris and Saint-Pierre Doré (an almost-extinct white grape from the Auvergne region). 

The crossing was made in in 1961 by amplographer Paul Truel - but it is grown today only in tiny parcels. The variety is directly related to the ancient Goais Blanc (from which chardonnay was derived). 

Winemaker James Ceccato has done a great job here; the 2019 has vibrant acidity and engaging subtlety and is extremely food friendly. 

The wine underwent a period of 10 weeks on yeast lees with a small portion going to medium-toasted French oak puncheons to provide creamy and vanillin notes to the palate. 

It weighs in at just 12.5% alcohol by volume and is very moreish. Be the first one on your block to try it. "

Source: https://gourmetontheroad.blogspot.com/