Sirromet’s 2015 Vintage Verdelho places Granite Belt firmly on the map

Queensland’s largest winery, Sirromet, this month released its 2015 Vintage Verdelho which has not only been heralded for its text book finish but looks set to encourage greater interest in wines from the Granite Belt region. Developed from the 2015 harvest, the Vintage Verdelho is light coloured, richly aromatic, medium-bodied and elegantly fruity. This latest vintage promises to get more people thinking about quality wines from the Granite Belt region, proving that Queensland has truly come of age in terms of producing vintage wines. Produced without oak or extended lees contact and filtered and stabilized early, allowing it to retain its freshness and essence of variety, Sirromet Chief Winemaker, Adam Chapman, credits the distinct characters of the 12th vintage to the location, soil, climate and vine balance. “At 820m of elevation, Sirromet’s vineyards are planted in decomposed granite with deep clay sub-soils, allowing the fruit to gain great regional flavours unique to this part of the world,” he said. “Both our white and red grapes matured evenly this year, enabling us to produce a good level of complex acidities, flavours and regional characteristics - resulting in a text book vintage.” Sirromet Wines began its 2015 vintage in early February, with the first crush being Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit from their Granite Belt vineyards, to be used for premium sparkling base. The following weeks saw the harvest of Verdelho, Pinot Gris, Viognier and Chardonnay white varietals. Featuring a balanced palate of custard apple, pineapple and tropical citrus fruit characters, the Vintage Verdehlo is a fresh, fruit-driven varietal that has a lovely crisp spinal mouth-watering acidity and is bone dry on the back palate. Sirromet is already attracting more than 300,000 visitors each year, putting Queensland’s wine on the world stage, and has collected an enviable 800 prestigious national and international wine awards since opening its doors 15 years ago. “The continued evolution of our wines is a credit to the craftsmanship of our winemaking and viticulture team,” Mr Chapman said. “Sirromet’s 2015 Vintage Verdelho is a must try for anyone who appreciates a first-class drop.”