Description

Dhiaga Arneis won the top gold for Arneis at the 2019 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show. It comes from the oldest Arneis vineyard in Victoria. Like all great Arneis I have had the pleasure to drink, it kinda tastes like Chablis. Not a one for one copy but a passing resemblance. Pulpy, passionfruit, mango, grapes, whiffs of honey. Dry, light, tangy, stoney mineral and a doughy finish. Dhiaga Arneis is undoubtedly brilliant right now. Why wait? Grab six bottles and either the freshest oysters you can find or some Affidelice au Chablis cheese and get stuck in.

Joyce and Justin at Dhiaga make serious wines from Northern Italian grape varieties. They are low input, hands-off, but high-quality wines. Justin and Joyce don’t take themselves too seriously though and were good company on the radio.

Mornington Peninsula 

One of many stars in Melbourne’s dress circle of vineyards. Varied success depending on terroir and winemaker but the best are outstanding. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay can excel with Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sparkling all capable of impressive wines too.

Arneis

Arneis translates to ‘little rascal’ because it can be a pain to grow! It is the most complex of the whites used in Piedmont. Made both as in the Roero DOCG and Langhe DOC. In the 1970s only Vietti and Giacosa were growing and producing Arneis. Thankfully it became more popular. It makes mid-weight wines tasting of sour apple, grapefruit and white flowers. The best I’ve had are Chablis-esque.