Winemaker Notes
Darren Owers, Nugan Estate winemaker, does not enjoy big buttery, oaky chards so the fruit is picked at night to preserve the crisp and bright aromatics and flavors which are present when the fruit is cooler. After the destemming process, the fruit is pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. After the initial alcoholic fermentation the skins are left in contact with the juice for 6-8 weeks, stirring every day to build the middle palate texture of the wine. There is no malolactic fermentation with this wine so you can be sure it's crisp and fresh. Wood treatment is minimal and it's all 2nd and 3rd use barrels. Their mates reckon it's a real summer "porch pounder'!
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Boasting a strong food and wine culture dominated by a large Italian-Australian population, Riverina is actually a diverse agricultural region centered at Griffith, 275 miles southwest of Sydney. While its Mediterranean climate allows plenty of experimentation with Italian grape varieties, Chardonnay has typically been the most popular variety here. Riverina is also noteworthy for the production of botrytized Semillon made in the style of Sauternes.