Grapevine - Terroir Unique (Chardonnay)

Pours slightly unclear golden blonde. Medium sized, rather unstable white head. Scent is sharp, funky, milder grapes, oak, buttery acidity, rather harsh brett. Taste is full, very malty, medium hoppyness, mild acidity (much milder than abnticipated), clear chardonnay fruityness, bit herbal and green though, Decent brettyness. At times reminding of a bretty cider. Surely interesting, and also enjoyable but not something i'd easely crave again. more of a taste and enjoy, rather than a drinking beer - which is very different than most de Ranke's.

'Terroir' has become something of a buzzword in gastronomical contexts over the years and not just in wine anymore - so why not in beer. In the case of the latest Grapevine by De Ranke, it refers to the fact that both the hops and the (Chardonnay) grapes that were used, were grown by the very same farm in Poperinge - how often does one see a farm growing both hops and grapes (and who knows what else)? An interesting premise, and since this Grapevine series has pleasantly surprised me over the years, this was something I had to check out - and share at Proevertjesdag. Egg-white, moussey, tiny-bubbled, opening head on a cloudy yolk-yellow blonde robe with apricot glow. Aroma of white grapes in a 'raw' yet fresh kind of way (rather than e.g. a Chardonnay wine effect I was perhaps hoping for), unripe orange, green plum, sourdough, freshly cut grass somewhere (the Poperinge hops no doubt), redcurrant, dry hay, gooseberry. Very fruity onset, gooseberry and green apple notes superseded by white grapes in a tart yet juicy way, seemingly softening the acids a bit; fizzy carb, 'moelleux' and supple body. The Chardonnay grape flavours are strong and clear enough, not very wine-like perhaps but very 'fresh', with even that typical grassy aspect to them; below glides a soft, gently yoghurty-lactic tartness and bready maltiness. Woody, hayish and lime-like accents in the finish, along with a bittering hoppiness, very vaguely citric even, but the grapes remain the star of the show, fitting into the whole 'beery' structure well and maintaining their typical Chardonnay features till the end. Ends notably grassy and 'green' with a chalky note - less vinous and fruit-sweet than the previous Grapevine editions, but still soft and gentle. Elegant like the others, but certainly distinct.

750 ml bottle. Pours a dull amber with light head. Aromas of grape skins and soft wheaty malts. Flavors of tart grape skins, soft funky farmyard, fruit sugars and wheaty malts. Nice.