ARUMDALE GLAD HEARTS’ BULLETIN

ARUMDALE GLAD-HEARTS’ BULLETIN

Warm Greetings from Arumdale to all the “Arumdalers” as we look to cooler days, and say:

“Hello to shades of Autumn…”

The crickets are making their calls at the odd spots amongst the adequate ground-cover between the merlot vine stems, the air is dead-still, and even now the slight coolness is readily noticeable as the last blue of the sky merges towards the grey of evening. The dry dustiness of the grasses is the present reminder of the high summer of the Cape, where rain manages to dodge away from the hills and mountains standing majestically at the south tip of our yet mysterious Africa.

THE VINEYARD’S EVENING..

Few are the folks that have the privilege, and time to sit on the ground, in the midst of the evening–time vineyard, and restfully understand the silent growth of each bunch of grapes during the night hours. The night lingers, and slowly the air cools in the valleys, to leave the gentlest glistening, misty wetness at the emergence of the dawn. This is the Arumdale climatic condition, which, night after night, brings on the full ripeness for which we strive in our wines.      

Regular testing of the acidity and sugar levels in our grapes is a necessity to establish which is the perfect harvest date, which is indeed near, and the firmness of the berries collected together for each testing is notable. Within days, and complying with the naturally set parameters, each bunch is to be gently cut from its cool shelter in the canopy of leaves. We hope again for the ten-degree coolness of the early morn before the plump grapes head to the cellar to found the exciting new-years’ vintage. This coolness helps to ‘lock in’ the subtlest of the flavours that each grape variety can offer.

With our chosen avoidance of applying water to the soils, we will gain the concentration of the flavours, which contributes to  our taste-distinction, through lower volumes of fruit per vine. Arumdale’s Bokkeveld- shale soils have a healthy 0,8m depth under which there are broken hard-clay layers, which help to keep acute moisture-stress at bay.

It is a game played slowly, and with an immense level of fun, to gain the ever-increasing recognition for our wines. Many folks who get to our stands, at the various shows around the country, now have good recollection of our name, and there is a gratifying amount of them who say that they’d greatly enjoy to taste Arumdale again. (A huge thank-you to those who are now following our wines!)

From the moment of the year 2000, and the first planting of Arumdale’s vines, there have been the two main objectives to follow as we grow to a gradual maturity with our own Chateau-styled wines:

ONE: Uniqueness of product, and

TWO: Softness, smoothness and elegance of finish.

We have reports from many who say: “One can tell that these wines come from the same estate…” and: “These wines fit so well together…” Despite the vagaries of nature, which affect each separate vintage, we shall keep watching to maintain this objective as best we possibly can!

Chateau-styled wine, is enhanced by the special development of ideas for our specific estate. Improvements, and innovations come with the experience of uniqueness of the years.  It is the cultural practice around each specific vine, that makes all the difference in maintaining this uniqueness. These practices would include: Earlier or later harvesting, certain canopy manipulations, row direction choice, chosen density of bunches, split harvesting, and so much more…

WHAT’S NEW IN THE OFFERING?

Our Arumdale range seems set to broaden out just a little. Added to the range will be our new “Pink Bolero”, a taste sensation for those who prefer a slightly more honeyed pink.

The “Pink Bolero” (Pron. Bohl-EHR-oh) celebrates a Mexican, Spanish and Cuban form of the Rhumba, a vivacious Latin dance, made even more lusty by the presence of guitars and castanets… This is still made of pure Shiraz, which lends a delicate ‘Bolero’ spicyness to the ‘not-so-dry’ wine lover’s palate. You shall have to be on the look-out for this one, which holds sensational promise, next to our well-loved, and dry, “Pink Shiraz”

  The Spanish Bolero

The new SAUVIGNON BLANC “LYC” 2010 (Longer Yeast Contact). This replaces our top-rated Sauvignon Blanc of 2009.

About “LYC”

I would like for all to note that Arumdale has the finest soils, which give us strong capacity to be able to carry taste complexity from vine to the cellar. To utilise our soils to the fullest, we have determined to craft a Sauvignon Blanc, made in the more traditional “sur lees” manner. This is where the yeasts are allowed to remain with the wine for an extended period after fermentation. Here, periodically, the maturing wine has its yeast re-disturbed, which gives the most delicate addition of a long, and historic culture, and an exquisite edge of real refinement to the wine. Yeasts are especially selected to lend an alternate note towards the flavours best suited to our style.

The really discerning tongues have a penchant for this expression of Sauvignon Blanc.

(Whilst the French may refer to “Sur Lis”, we shall refer to “Longer Yeast Contact”, or “L.Y.C.”)

Demand in many really fine places is growing for the Arumdale St Andrew (sometimes referred to as ‘The Andy’), the Arumdale Cab (The Cabbie), and the Arumdale Shiraz. We had frustrating delays in the new bottling, after having prematurely sold out of stock, and we have to apologise for having been held up in our deliveries in some instances. At some of the recent shows, we have not had all our range to show!

There is a growing excitement as we await the new releases.  

Keep an eye out for the Arumdale wines and their special and unique difference!! Your interest is greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Always ask for ARUMDALE

ARUMDALE…GENTLY POURED, SLOWLY SAVOURED..

Light up your dinner with ARUMDALE.

Out best salaams,

M A R K   S I M P S O N, and our dedicated team.

P.S.(A big P.S.)

A NEW SECOND LABEL…

ARUMDALE now developed an adventurous second label, about which you might find out more here soon. I invite you, in the meanwhile to visit the “Robin Hood Legendary Wine Series” on Facebook. Find out about “The Robin Hood”, “The Maid Marian”, “The Little John” and “The Friar Tuck”

M.S.

M A R K  S I M P S O N

ARUMDALE Tel: +27 21 848 9880
ARUMDALE Fax: +27 21 848 9683
ARUMDALE e-mail: royalwine@arumdale.co.za