This Italian grape variety, grown in the Southern Highlands of NSW and made by Tertini wines, is a great example of how tasting something at a cellar door doesn't always translate as the winery would hope. I tried this wine at their cellar door back in 2010 and thought it was good, but nothing beyond good. It was then recently and generously donated for an event I held that focused on alternative wine varieties. Having the chance then to enjoy the wine in the usual way with normal wine glasses and a normal serving I absolutely loved it! I'm not the only one either. This wine was picked by two serious winos at the event as their favourite white wine. Furthermore, one of the least wine knowledgeable mates of mine tried it recently and said it was one of the better white wines he'd ever tried!
It has a colour of light gold and pale lemon yellow accompanied by an aroma of apple and pear-like fruits. I also get a faint whif of honey as well. It is very enjoyable to drink and as you'd expect the flavours flow on from the aroma with apple and pear with some citrus fruits also noticeable. However, I find with so many Italian white varieties and even blends that it can be rather hard to describe, and define them into singular components for use in tasting notes. I think that may be part of why I enjoy them so much!
Tertini 2010 Arneis
Price - $35 from Tertini Wines
Region - Southern Highlands, NSW
Final Sip - I've had the pleasure of enjoying this wine quite a few times now and with a diverse group of people and as yet I have not come across one single person who didn't enjoy it!
PS - The variety is pronounced 'Ar-Nay'
