2023 Carp Ridge Orange S.F.C (Natural Wine)

Vintage: 2023
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Ottawa River Valley, Carp Ridge Vineyard
Wine Style: Orange wine, Natural wine, Skin Fermented Chardonnay, Bottled with Lees
Alcohol: 11%
Residual Sugar: 3.8 g/L
pH: 3.53
Total Acidity: 7.7 g/L
Aging Potential: >5 Years
Case Production: 130

Winemaking
The Chardonnay grapes were hand-picked on the Carp Ridge in the Ottawa valley, rigorously sorted for optimal ripeness and quality, then gently destemmed and crushed into two stainless steel tanks for indigenous fermentation and malolactic conversion. One of the tanks fermented for 14 days while the other 19 days. Both lots were pressed off skins on day 19 and settled in stainless steel for 10 months.  No fining, stabilizing or filtration of the wine was done, and only minimal sulfites remain (30 ppm).

Tasting Notes

A floral and tropical nose of chamomile, white flowers, dried lemon, green pineapple, and honeydew melon.  The palate shows bright citrus fruit, dried flowers, orange rind and a pleasant astringency like that of steeped tea leaves, think a citrus driven, dry iced tea.