YALUMBA 2023 'VINE VALE' GRENACHE BLANC ($35 / Barossa Valley, SA)
This week I am talking about a very rare wine indeed, as there are (so far) only fourteen producers of this variety in Australia, and all other than De Bortoli are in South Australia.
The variety is Grenache Blanc, which is related to (the red) Grenache. It originally mutated in Spain and then spread over to France, there it found a second home in the Rhone Valley where it is allowed to comprise up to 10% of the region’s blended white wines. Around half of France’s Grenache Blanc is found in the Roussillon region where it is blended with Marsanne, Viognier & Rolle (Vermentino).
It is hardly found outside of Spain & France, until recently when it stated being planted here in Australia- see my article “Whiter Shade of Pale” Australia's Wine Business Magazine (WBM) May-June 2022 edition.
Today’s wine is yet another fine example of the skilled winemaking of the Yalumba team, it is the outstanding
Yalumba 2023 Barossa Valley Grenache Blanc - wild ferment- vegan friendly. It has a lively, fragrant bouquet of zesty lemons, a dash of limes and pears amalgamated with a hint of dill. The palate is simply gorgeous offering a mouthful of bright flavours centred around pears, with a splash of citrus. It finishes with great elegance and class making it a TRULY MAGNIFICENT WINE.
This divine Blanc is well worth seeking out.
Dan Traucki