Grown in France's Languedoc-Roussillon and with small plantings in south-east Australia's Riverina/Murray Darling regions, Aranel is a hybrid grape, breed in 1961 at the University of Montpellier, the offspring of the rare Grenache Gris and the now virtually extinct Saint-Pierre Dore variety. It seems according to the literature available on Aranel that there is a direct relationship to that casanova of a grape variety Gouais Blanc, a progenitor to so many other varieties. Searching for information about Aranel is limited even on French language websites who seem to frustratingly repeat the same stuff. Beelgara Estate (Riverina) and Tempus Two were the only two wineries here who used to produce varietal wines made from Aranel but it appears that growers now need to pay a licence fee in order to grow it under Plant Variety Rights. The grape is said to have good levels of acid and sugar with fresh and attractive blossom, white-fleshed fruit and citrus aromatics.
The wine is pale yellow to light green in the glass. Aromas of grass, fresh white flowers and talc flood the nose. It's as though you are laying in a wet grassy field under blossoming trees. There is upfront smooth citrus and peach fruit on the palate supported by nice flinty acidity. The palate is super fresh and well balanced. A crisp cleansing finish is just what you need to complement incendiary curries, spicy stir fries or delicate sushi dishes. The wine is unashamedly marketed as a style to match broad Asian cuisine styles and on that level it works really well. I usually baulk at blends stacked with more than three varieties but this is a beauty.
Source: Retail Purchase. Alcohol: 12.4%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $15.00. Rating: 90 Points.
Website: http://www.ajawines.com.au/index.html
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