FROM the vines to the bottle, the NOTA has been tracking the process of preparing a first vintage at Old Inn Road Wine, Bulahdelah.
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Dale Bradshaw of Old Inn Road Wine said 2012 was a tough year for many wine regions, especially the Hunter Valley but the 2012 Old Inn Road Verdelho has proven to be the exception.
"Verdelho is well adapted to the climate on the Mid North Coast," he said.
"The grapes ripen early; well before disease has a chance to establish itself in the vineyard."
Harvested early, while flavour and acidity remained vibrant, the grapes were whole-bunched pressed and fermented cool using aromatic yeast.
Mr Bradshaw said they are then fined and filtered prior to bottling after a minimal maturation period to retain fruit freshness and vibrancy.
The wine was bottled, labelled and packaged at Tyrrell's Wines in the Hunter Valley who have an advanced enclosed positive pressure filtered filling room.
Old Inn Road Matt Burton winemaker said its first verdelho was a delicate offering with lifted aromas of white peach and lychee, while the palate shows excellent finesse and balance.
"Aniseed and stone-fruit flavours to the fore, with vibrant acidity and freshness on the finish.
"A wine offering good length of flavour that is best enjoyed while young, " Mr Burton said.