SINGLE MINDED

For wines with real character, seek single-vineyard examples

- Toni Paterson

The most captivating thing about good wine is that its taste can tell a story. One sip can reveal clues about where it was grown, its varietal composition or its maker.

Wines reflective of their origin are endlessly fascinating and the most intriguing of these are produced from a single plot of vines. The best examples have a signature that is evident even with seasonal variation.

What makes single-vineyard wines unique is that the grapes come from the same plot each year, so they display seasonal nuances. In warmer years, the wine displays a more generous flavour; cooler years result in more acidity and palate tension. These observations increase with time, so the wine becomes a snapshot of history.