2024 Botrytis Affected Riesling (375ml)

"Within my 27 years of Winemaking, I have never had the opportunity to create a Botrytis Affected wine..." - Fred Di Profio, our Head Winemaker. Speaking to its rarity, when conditions are exactly right, misty, cool mornings followed by warm, sunny afternoons, this specific Botrytis Affected fungus settles on the grapes. Instead of destroying the fruit (which would be "grey rot"), it creates a rare fermentation known as Noble Rot. The fungus punctures the skin of the grape, which allows water to evaporate. This process concentrates the sugar and acidity naturally and completely transforms the flavours. This extremely limited wine is a special one within the Bella Terra portfolio. On the nose, expect organic and sweet notes of beeswax and wildflower honey. You’ll likely find a distinct minerality beneath the sweetness. When paired with dessert, the wine’s alcohol provides body, while the acidity actually helps lift the aromatic profile. As Fred, our Winemaker, expressed, this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime wine, and we're proud to share it with you. 95 points, Wines in Niagara | Rick VanSickle: " The grapes for this sweet treat were 100% botrytised (noble rot). The grapes were hand harvested, whole cluster pressed, settled racked and underwent wild fermentation. It was picked at 28.6 Brix. What a lovely, sweet treat! It already shows a more golden colour in the glass with notes of lemon curd, yellow apples, dried apricots, pie crust, marzipan, grilled pineapple, ginger and wild honey notes. It’s rich and viscous on the palate with exotic ripe fruits, golden apples, candied lemon peel, wild honey, marmalade, ginger and a sweetness that is perfectly balanced by racy acidity. It has a finish that lasts for minutes. Such a rare treat that can age through 2037 or beyond but is irresistible right now." Wine Information: Appellation: Niagara Peninsula Alcohol: 12.5 % Residual Sugar: 77.9 g/L