DAN'S WINE BLOG- THIS WEEK'S WINE REVIEW

THIS WEEK’S WINE REVIEW:

?Friday, September 1, 2023: ?This week I am talking about a wine made from a very, very rare grape variety. According to Adelaide University’s Kym Anderson’s authoritative tome, “Which Wine Grapes are Grown Where”, there were only three hectares of this variety in the whole world when the figures were compiled. The variety is Petit Meslier, which is used in the making of sparkling wine. A very few Champagne houses add a smidge of this highly acidic variety to their Gran Cru blends.

?Until fairly recently the only varietal Petit Meslier wine in the world was the original Irvine Petit Meslier, pioneered by my dear friend, Jim Irvine, and then taken on by his daughter, Jo Irvine, in her Lévrier by Jo Irvine Petit Meslier Brut Rosé.

?Of late Champagne Laherte Frères have produced N/V Petit Meslier (the only varietal one in all of the northern hemisphere at $265 a bottle) and now the crew at Domaine Chandon in the Yarra Valley have launched one. Domaine Chandon is one of five wineries that the French champagne house of Chandon has established around the world to achieve excellence from that specific micro-climate. The wineries are in Australia, China, India, USA, Argentina and Brazil. Chandon AUSTRALIA was founded in 1986.

?So today’s wine is the Chandon Yarra Valley ‘Winemaker’s Exploration’ 2018 Sparkling Petit Meslier and it is a magnificent bubbly.

?It starts with a soft, gentle bouquet which has a hint of green apples and a smidge of yeast autolysis. The palate is redolent with attractive apple flavours enhanced by a modicum of mouth-filling sweetness which offsets the significant, inherent varietal acidity.? It has a zippy, crisp finish that lingers beautifully.

?This is truly a delightful wine that will enhance any occasion.

?To check out this beauty and the rest of the exciting Domaine Chandon range please visit the link below. Cheers, Dan T.

?Winery Link:? www.chandon.com.au

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