Ministry of Clouds Picpoul 2023

Ministry of Clouds is the creation of Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood and it’s just on a decade since they decided to leave the security of the corporate wine world (the ministry) for the adventure (the clouds) of their own wine venture. And it’s been quite a journey thus far.

Picpoul is an ancient variety of the Mediterranean Coast, farmed since the 1300s and famed for its lemony power and natural ability to retain acid in the sunshine!  Briny and maritime in is disposition Picpoul is renowned as the perfect Oyster wine. 

All things done right: picked by hand, fermented spontaneously and left on lees for a giddy 100 days, sans filtration. Picpoul, or ‘lip stinger’ in Occitan, shows immense promise in these parts. The attraction is the immediacy of crunch, versatility at the table and subdued nature of the aromas that speak subtly of frangipani, pistachio, Mediterranean herb, mirabelle and quince, without screaming their names. Personally, I’d much rather drink this than most riesling from our shores. It is far more digestible. - Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion - On 2022 Vintage.

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Picpoul
Country - Australia
Region - McLaren Value, South Australia
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12%