Description

James believes that this Mornington Peninsula Fiano is going to be one of his flagship wines. And it is hard to argue. The cooler Maritime climate isn’t a million miles away from Campania in Italy, where Fiano is most commonly found. James’ Mornington Peninsula Fiano is nice and ripe. Barrel fermentation has added to the appearance of broadness and generosity. VI Mornington Peninsula Fiano tastes of melons, waxy apples and honey. There is a spicy note in there too. I’d enjoy this Mornington Peninsula Fiano from now and over the next 3 or 4 years. Match this Mornington Peninsula Fiano with some robust, white-fleshed flesh. Due to the process James uses, he is able to keep sulphur to an absolute minimum.

Vino Intrepido Sting Like A Bee Mornington Peninsula Fiano 2020, and all wines are eligible for at least 5% off any six bottles. And 10% off any 12 bottles. Some wines will be at a more significant discount and not subject to further discounts.

Vino Intrepido is what happens when wine is made by a podcaster, traveller of the known and unknown wine world, father and nice guy to boot? You get Vino Intrepido. James Scarcebrook, aka The Intrepid Wino, is a busy lad that loves wine. In 2016 he started a project for his interest and fun to see what it is like to make wine. And to see if he can make the wines express what he had in his head. In 2017 the range expanded from one batch to several, and this is the first release.

Vino Intrepido Sting Like A Bee Mornington Peninsula Fiano 2020 Winemaker Notes

“Second vintage with this fruit, building on the successes of the first vintage to create something more special. Two days cold soak to build some texture, 100% mature barrel ferment, aged on lees for 6+ months and bottled unfined and unfiltered.”

Mornington Peninsula 

Mornington is one of the star regions in Melbourne’s dress circle. 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.

Fiano 

Historically important white variety. Now almost exclusively from Campania in Italy. Very rich and complex wines with the ability to age. Tends to be quite rich and phenolic. It excels in sites where it can retain some acidity and therefore freshness. It is becoming popular in Australia as the hot, dry conditions of Southern Italy are comparable to our climate here. Not a wine to age, the best are thrilling from release.

Australian Wine

The invasion of “Sunshine in a bottle” put Australian wine on the map.  The fruity, easy-going, somewhat samey wines were endearing for a short time. Then the next big thing knocked them off their perch.

This forced producers to increase quality and emphasise the distinctive terroirs of Australia. Of which, there are many. And many more yet to be discovered.

Wine

Wine is the result you get from fermented grape juice. There is proof of wine production dating back 8000 years ago. Fashions, innovations and many other factors have influenced the way wine has evolved over the years.

The wine grape is impressive. It contains everything you need to make grape wine except for the yeast, which lives on the outside of the skins.

Human inputs can influence the final product, including the viticulture (growing) choices. And the winemaker can shape the wine to a point too.

The best wines of the world often refer to terroir. Terroir is a French term that refers to all the climatic, geological and topographical influences on a specific piece of land. And it is true that neighbouring vineyards, grown identically, can taste noticeably different.

White Wine

It is interesting to know that you can make white wine from almost any grape. The colour comes from the skins, and if there is no contact, there is no colour. White wines tend to be delicate, perfumed, higher in acid and lower in alcohol. It seems for this and many other reasons, it is hard to make an incredibly impressive white wine. But those that have mastered the art are indeed some of the best winemakers in the world.

It is a falsehood to think that white wine does not age as well as red wine. But it is correct that white wine, as a rule, doesn’t age for as long.

The Wine Depository

I, Phil, have been running The Wine Depository since 2011. The Wine Depository exists to make sure you are drinking the good wines. You can browse and pick what is interesting to you. Or you can make contact with me. I’ll make sure you get what you want, to your palate, to your budget and to your door.