Grape expectations

2009/11/07

KITTY KAYE

Yarra Valley’s well known grapevine-friendly temperate produces familiar, enjoyable wines. KITTY KAYE, however, describes it as romance-inducing, dance-in-the-rain wines.

A long time ago, slightly over two decades to be exact, a few wine experts from the French champagne house Moët & Chandon sought an area with a temperate climate in South Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. As hours turned into day, days into weeks and weeks into months, the search continued.

Meticulously, they combed these areas for the combination of cool temperatures and perfect soil to suit grape vines.

Finally, after a year of scouting, they stumbled upon an old dairy farm nestled in Southeastern Australia’s Yarra Valley in 1986. The property was called Green Point and it fit the bill.

Those good people from Moët & Chandon established Domaine Chandon and kept the label Green Point for both their still and sparkling wines. For decades now, they’ve kept to Méthode Traditionnelle (a method where the bubbles are produced by secondary fermentation in the bottle).

Soon, in fact by early next year, all of their sparkling wines will be rebranded from Green Point to Chandon. Their still wines will retain the Green Point label.

Now, with the facts out of the way, let’s get to the fun stuff.

Getting to know their wines As mentioned earlier, Yarra Valley offers a cool climate. This will allow for the grapes to ripen slowly resulting in condensed flavours of the fruit.

Imagine incredible freshness, vibrancy and elegance in flavours. Imagine Van Gogh’s blue skies, intense golden summer days wrapped in a dreamy, cool wind.

Now, hang onto the feeling.

Chandon sparklers, Brut and Rosé, hold two similar characters — crisp and vibrantly young.

There’s a lot going for these two and keeping to the French traditional method of producing champagne, these two don’t fall short in elegance either. Best part is, they’re perfectly affordable from RM120 per bottle in good bottle shops.

Compare the joy with the pleasure you might find when encountering vintage clothing from the 1920s at a bargain and in mint condition.

Again, hang onto that feeling while I continue with their still wines.

They produce old world standard chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz (or syrah) wines.

The Valley’s mountainous terrain which allows them to explore different latitudes will suit different grapes.

Pinot noir grapes, for instance, are delicate. Grown badly, the wine you’ll get will have too much tannin.

However, when grown in thoughtful climate, you’ll end up with an expressive pinot noir wine. One worthy of sharing with those you love (or like).

At RM109 each, Green Point stills such as the chardonnay and shiraz retain an almost old-world complexity and refined elegance.

Combine the two feelings you’ve been hanging onto. Let me tell you, that’s a glass of either of these wines! All Chandon sparklers and Green Point wines are available at Bottles & Bottles at the Gardens mall in Kuala Lumpur, Cold Storage supermarkets and other leading restaurants such as Third Floor in JW Marriott hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Chandon Brut This is their star in the land of koalas, open red earth and kangaroos.

With the colour of the palest old gold, this one has long yeast ageing. This, in turn, results in the building of the sparkler’s character similar to that of champagne.

At first whiff, there’s a balanced nose of creamy nuts and gently acidic grapes. In fact, if crisp has a smell, this one epitomises it.

As you take a first delicate sip, creaminess will descend onto your palate. Followed elegantly by nectarines with a fresh and mild citrusy finish.

It’s a little like romance — it’ll leave you wanting more.

Chandon Rosé I’d say this one is blush. Its colour is blush. Its taste epitomises “blush”. And its characteristic is prettily blush. Can you understand my blushing meaning? Alright, let me elaborate. It has an appealing, delicate light pink (or blush) colour. At first whiff, it’s red berries and something baking — I kid you not.

A delicate sip will reveal the same notes but add crisp strawberries then cream to it, along with a citrusy finish.

After a glass or so, you’ll detect a dry complexity. This is (apparently) due to a little of pinot noir added.

It’s easy to predict this one to be a winner with the ladies. Also, this one will inevitably remind you of dancing in the rain and of being worry-free! Green Point Chardonnay 2007 I tolerate white wines. And because I do, I am ever more judgemental of them. This one has a pleasing enough colour of pale gold that denotes a delicate characteristic.

At first whiff, it holds to that of old-world chardonnays. It has peachy notes. Deeper whiffs bring on the citrus with hints of oak.

The first sip seems to hint at femininity. There’s a fine balance of acidic and tropical fruits. Some would say this one has an almost old-world flavours. I’d say it has a zesty, medium-length finish.

Green Point Pinot Noir 2007 Although it is a more fussy and volatile vine to grow, the pinot noir sure can be an easy wine to drink. At first sight, it has a watery ruby colour, almost unassuming and laidback.

At first whiff, it’s creamy along with dark berry notes and hints of acidity. A first sip will reveal soft, enveloping tannins with silky, velvety texture. There are cherries, hints of spiciness and polite oakiness to it too.

I’d say it’s a good first wine for those starting out. This one is easy, devoid of complexities most old world wines carry. It’s the sort that’ll make for a good (impressionable) first love.

Green Point Shiraz 2006 A long time ago, I tasted the best bottle of syrah (the French version of shiraz).

From that wonderful but never-again-to-be-found bottle, I learnt how dark chocolaty a good syrah can be. And how unforgettable.

Then I understood how unrequited love hurts — especially when you can’t find another to match it! Green Point’s shiraz holds the velvety ruby colour. At first whiff, it smells silky, with some strength of character that has no rough edges — all that comes from a mixed scent of cooked spices, liquorice and oak.

At first sip, it doesn’t live up to my first syrah love but it has the tendency to come quite close. Its velvety tannins will take over your palate, then come dark berries and licorice that shape its medium body. Its elegant magic is only revealed after a few generous sips — hints of dark chocolate come forth. I equate this one to a crush — at least, until something better comes along.