Tanya and Chris Honey of Stanmore in NSW were the first and most accurate respondents to the last quiz, which sought to discover the odd one out between seven high-profile wineries. Six of the wineries listed, namely Lake’s Folly, Morris of Rutherglen, Mountadam, Knappstein, Moorilla Estate and Howard Park, are no longer under their original ownership. The remaining winery, Lenswood Vineyards, is still owned and operated by its founders, Tim and Annie Knappstein. If any reader is looking to employ a devious corporate mind for investigative purposes, I could think of no better pair than the Honey duo. A bottle of the winery’s inaugural vintage of Palatine (an elegant Bordeaux blend) is already winging its way over. As I’ve discussed elsewhere in this issue, vintage 2002 has been a pretty bleak affair for vineyards located in anything but the warmer inland climates. Although other factors have doubtless contributed to the difficulties, such as the virtual absence of a summer in many parts of the country, much of the blame can be attributed to poor weather during flowering. Bad conditions around flowering often result in the development of tiny, shot-like grapes without seeds in conjunction with normally developed grapes on the same bunch. The smaller grapes naturally reduce potential yield, but compensate to a marginal extent through the sheer intensity of flavour they are able to accumulate. Much of Western Australia’s chardonnay, made with the Gingin (or Mendoza) clone of the variety, actually benefits from this effect. Yields are naturally capped around two tonnes per acre, and flavours develop remarkable intensity. The winner of this quiz will submit the first entry opened by May 31 that correctly identifies the effect I have just described by both its English and its French names. The prize? Two very worthwhile bottles of Margaret River chardonnay made in significant part with the Gingin clones. Post your answer to Reply Paid 342, OnWine Quiz #22, Jeremy Oliver’s OnWine Report, 565 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia. And of course, any accents on the French term need to be correct!
