Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling is a bottle of pure joy and indulgence for wine lovers. This wine is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with delicate aromas of honey, apricots and peaches mingling with floral notes. On the palate, it is rich and luscious with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. It is made from Riesling grapes, harvested late when they are fully ripe and picked by hand, to ensure the best possible flavor and quality. This wine can be enjoyed as a dessert wine or paired with strong cheeses, spicy Asian cuisine, or even a simple fruit tart. Its complex and luxurious flavors will leave you wanting more.

Tasting Notes

The colour is bright lemon, with aromas of citrus (lime/ mandarin), stone fruit (apricot/ peach/nectarine) and also honeydew melon. Layered beneath there are floral notes reminiscent of honeysuckle and jasmine. While the influence of botrytis adds concentration and richness on the palate, there is also a seam of crisp acidity that ensures the wine remains fresh and lively, with a balanced and lingering finish.

About the Winery

The story of Pegasus Bay starts with the history of the Donaldson family. The family has been involved and immersed in all the processes of the wine industry since the early 1970s. They were pioneers and developers of various unique and better ways of growing grapevines locally and producing wines from them. Ivan Donaldson, a consultant neurologist and associate professor, became interested in the art of winemaking. It started when Christine, his girlfriend, handed him a book named Wine, written by Hugh Johnson, a legend in the English industry.

The book set Ivan on an incredible and exciting journey, one that never ceased once it started. It urged him to explore the renowned wine areas of Europe. After his trip, Ivan came back to plant a vineyard that now is one of the first of the modern-day Canterbury. It was at this time that he married Christine. She, later on, became an integral element to the story of Pegasus Bay.

By the middle of the 1980s, the couple realised the worth that Canterbury had in the industry of winemaking. They grew the property and operations of Pegasus Bay extensively with the help and support of their four sons. The vineyards owned by the winery got planted back in 1985, producing exceedingly low yields per grapevine. They give small berries and loose bunches per harvest.

The vineyards remain in the vicinity of the Teviotdale Range, getting a high level of protection from the easterly breezes of the Pacific. The soil has free drainage properties with low fertility. They help in enhancing the naturally reduced vigour and flavour of the grapevines. It, in turn, helps develop and grow high-quality and juicy grapes ripened to an optimal degree. Wines produced using these fruits can express the characteristics and qualities of their unique setting.

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