Perfect vintage conditions contribute to perfection in the bottle
Perfect vintage conditions contribute to perfection in the bottle
Perfect grapes and ideal growing conditions led the Tūpari Late Harvest Riesling 2024 to be crowned Champion Sweet Wine of the 2024 Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect.
Tūpari founder and winemaker Glenn Thomas said the Awatere Valley produces intensely flavoured Riesling, and was pleased to see the 2024 vintage recognised with the trophy, sponsored by Barrel Finance & Logistics, at a show which is important for the region.
He told us a bit about the wine, and the conditions that led to such a stand out vintage…
What made the 2024 vintage such a stand out?
The season was dry and warm, with cool nights - ideal conditions for premium wine production. The Riesling grapes were fully ripe when we had the only significant rain event of the harvest, which came at the end. The 35mm of rain at our vineyard enabled the already ripe Riesling grapes to get almost a 100% botrytis infection. Most importantly, the weather then dried up completely, preventing a ‘problem’ botrytis infection. Instead, the grapes started to shrivel without any splitting allowing the sugar and flavours to concentrate. We hand harvested ‘perfect’ grapes at 41B.
Are there any particular characteristics from the Awatere Valley sub-region that shine in this wine?
The Awatere Valley does produce intensely flavoured Riesling, (particularly lemon/lime notes) and because the grapes were fully ripe before the botrytis came, we were able to make a high quality wine that offers more than just botrytis characters.
How did it feel to have the wine acknowledged in the Show, and why is the Marlborough Wine Show important to your team?
It’s always nice to have a wine recognised by one’s peers. The Marlborough Wine show is a showcase for all Marlborough wine styles, in addition to Sauvignon Blanc. This wine show is very important for the region.
About the sponsor.
Barrel Finance & Logistics (BFL) is a leading alternative business finance company. They allow wineries to grow and develop their companies through the leasing and rental of equipment. BFL has an in-depth knowledge of the industry and has built strong relationships with industry leading product suppliers to ensure the best product, freight and deals for their clients.