Whats Happening in the Vineyard & Welcome to our New 2019 Viognier

November 05, 2021

Thank goodness for the Seasons!!!.....

 Have you ever stopped to contemplate how good it is to have 4 seasons in each lap around the Sun? I’m not sure whether it’s just that I love Spring, or if it’s more a function of Winters seeming darker, wetter, colder and longer?.... this year it has been exacerbated by the frustrations of lockdowns, restrictions and uncertainty for the way out, but finally with the arrival of Spring, warmer weather, longer days and siome hope for a return to life as we used to know it, things are looking brighter!!

At Turners Crossing, we have been plugging away with production….  Bottling new vintages for imminent release, maturing wines from the 2021 vintage (which looks exceptionally promising I might say!!) and preparing ourselves for the anticipated demand when business begins to open up yet again!

One very special wine due for a timely appearance in the marketplace is our next vintage of the outstanding white grape varietal, Viognier.  The 2019 Viognier stands to be a formidable follow on from the delightful 2018 vintage which has won the hearts of so many.  This Viognier is fresh, lively and rich on the palate with its lifted aromatics of stone fruits and its balanced poise and length.

Viognier hails from the Cote du Rhone in the central south of France and it is a grape variety that thrives in the favourable growing environment afforded by the Turners Crossing vineyard at Serpentine. 

Shed your layers, feel the warmth of sun on your back and pour yourself a tasty glass of the Turners Crossing 2019 Viognier to accompany your next spicy Asian salad, chilli prawn linguine or perhaps try these Chicken Koftas with cucumber mint yoghurt!!  Sante!

Spring Recipe – Chicken Koftas with cucumber mint yoghurt

 INGREDIENTS

• 500g chicken, finely minced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 chilli, seeded and chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp Garam Masala
• ½ tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• ½ cup dried breadcrumbs
• Bamboo skewers
• Spray oil

For the Yoghurt mix:

• ½ cup grated cucumber flesh, drained on paper towel
• 2 tbsp mint, finely shredded
• 1 cup plain yoghurt
• Mint leaves for decoration

METHOD

Mix chicken with onion, chilli, mint, salt, Garam Masala, coriander, cumin and breadcrumbs – knead mixture until stiff and smooth

Shape the chicken mixture into a small sausage size around one end of the bamboo skewer.  The meat mixture should be around 3cm in diameter and 8cm long.

Lay the koftas on a cling wrap topped plate, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Spray the koftas with oil and cook on a medium hot plate – turn every minute until cooked, which will take 8-10 minutes.

Mix the cucumber, mint and yoghurt together – serve koftas on platter decorated with mint sprigs and with a bowl of the yoghurt mixture in the centre of the platter.

Pour the Turners Crossing 2019 Viognier and enjoy!!.......

 

What’s happening in the Vineyard? ...

With the advent of longer day length and the hint of warmth in the soil, the vines begin to wake from their winter slumber.  The foliage is soft and tender and susceptible to the ravages of possible frost while night time temperatures can still fluctuate between cool to mild at this time of year.  We certainly don’t want to see the young shoots and leaves damaged by frost, however it is the emergence of flowers in late Spring that are most vulnerable with those often unexpected and extreme frosts that can occasionally occur.

So far, this Spring has been wet and still relatively cool with day-time temperatures slowly beginning to rise, which augurs well for an optimistic outlook for Vintage 2022!!

Meanwhile, there’s plenty to be done as the vineyard springs to life.  A complete refurbishment of irrigation lines, pumps, filters and frost sprays over the past two winters has brought the property up to a very contemporary and efficient standard.

More vines are being planted to introduce some new varieties to the property, especially the inclusion of Grenache which will add diversity, depth and character to the Turners Crossing portfolio, so watch out for some exciting additions to the range over the next few years.

Don't forget to stock up for Christmas and the Summer ahead with a selection of our fabulous whites, rose and stunning reds!.

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

---

Also in News From the Vineyard