Off-Dry Riesling overcomes sweet perception to win Trophy at Canberra Riesling Challenge

The Ferngrove Limited Release Off-Dry Riesling 2016 is 100% Estate fruit from the remote but picturesque region of Frankland River in Western Australia’s Great Southern.

Beating some of the more widely recognised Riesling appellations in Australia such as the Clare and Eden Valleys was a David and Goliath-like battle, not withstanding the unique off-dry style as a best of show winner.

By entering the Challenge, Riesling producers compete not only with producers from their region, but with 500 other Rieslings from across the world for the opportunity to be judged as the Best Wine of the Challenge, making it the most significant event of its type in the southern hemisphere.

Following in the footsteps of the old-world Germanic style Rieslings, the Ferngrove Off-dry Riesling is “medium-sweet” on the IRF scale, a standardised naming pattern to help to reduce the confusion amongst consumers.

The Limited Release wines are styles whereby Senior winemakers Marco Pinares and Marelize Russouw can experiment with particular vineyards and new techniques, producing smaller quantities for cellar door and direct to consumer sales.

Marco Pinares says the win is testament to the quality of fruit that the Great Southern is producing, “Frankland River can produce world class styles of Riesling with its cumquat, lime zest and spring blossom characters. We love the beautiful delicacy in the resulting wines and the 2016 vintage is a great example of this.”

Recommended retail price:

Ferngrove Limited Release Off-Dry Riesling 2016 $19.99

For more information please call winemaker Marco Pinares on 9855 2378, email winemaker@ferngrove.com.au or call Sales and Marketing Manager Andrew Blythe on 08 9363 1300, email ablythe@ferngrove.com.au