2004 The Last Straw Marsanne

Inspired by the rare and luscious vin de paille of France’s Rhône Valley, this is the third release of this sweet white, made from 100% Marsanne grapes.

In both France and Italy a traditional method of obtaining concentrated sugars and flavours is to lay harvested grapes on straw mats where they are left in the sun to dehydrate. 
We adopt a similar method, spreading out the bunches on our old apricot drying trays for up to six weeks before gently crushing and basket pressing. The unfermented juice is transferred into 112 litre French Oak barrels, where the wine will slowly ferment and mature until bottling.

Sweet wines of this style are not only suited to traditional desserts; served as an aperitif it will drink well with full flavoured savoury dishes such as blue cheese, foie gras or sardines.