Bethany Wines, ‘Old Quarry Fronti’, NV, (70cl) Barossa Valley (GI)

'One-Liner'
A deeply mellow Australian fortified wine, combining orange marmalade, honey and treacle with velvety texture and a long, warming finish.

Tasting Note
Deep golden amber in the glass, with rich aromas of orange marmalade, honey and ripe dried fruit followed by treacle, caramel and gentle nutty spice. The palate is full-bodied, sweet and beautifully smooth, with concentrated citrus and softly oxidative flavours wrapped in a velvety texture. Warm and lingering through the finish, with layers of marmalade, toffee and old oak gradually unfolding in the glass.

Country: Australia
Region: South Australia
Sub-Region: Barossa Valley GI
Grape(s): Muscat à Petits Grains, Muscadelle, Sémillon
ABV: 18.5%
Friendly: Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable

Awards & Critics' Scores
n/a

The Story
Bethany Wines traces its roots to 1852, when Johann Gottlob Schrapel planted one of the earliest vineyards in the Barossa after settling in the village of Bethany. Four generations later, brothers Robert and Geoff Schrapel established the modern winery in 1981, building their cellar in the old quarry that gives this wine its name. Old Quarry Fronti is drawn from low-yielding, ancient bush vines on the family’s Homestead and Quarry vineyards, with the grapes picked late to build richness and aromatic intensity. Fermentation is stopped with the addition of brandy spirit before the individual wines spend an average of six years in old oak, gradually developing the deep amber colour, mellow sweetness and complex marmalade-and-treacle character of the finished blend.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Chicken liver parfait with orange marmalade and toasted sourdough
- Vegetarian: Walnut tart
- Vegan: Vegan sticky date pudding with orange, pecans and warm treacle sauce