Production of Arneis at Manjimup
In trials conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Food at Manjimup in the South West, Arneis (Clone CVT CN15) rootlings established well in the field and produced the first crop for wine production in 3.5 years.
This variety was spur-pruned, leaving canopies that required minimal shoot thinning early in the season.
Literature suggests that Arneis has low basal bud fertility, however this was not the case here. Arneis produced at least one bunch per shoot, with many secondary bunches removed at veraison to allow adequate ripening.
Approaching harvest, Arneis fruit is sensitive to sunburn, requiring canopy management to ensure adequate leaf coverage.
Timing of key phenology stages
| Budburst (E-L 4) | Full bloom (E-L 23) | Veraison (E-L 35) | Harvest (E-L 38) |
| Mid-September | Mid-late November | Late February | Late March |
Arneis produces fruit with good acid content, rockmelon and juicy fruit flavours with grassy skins.
Arneis production characteristics
| Productivity | Medium–high | Berry weight | Medium |
| Bunch weight | Medium | Fruit yield/vine | 5.6kg |
| Disease susceptibility | Low | Equivalent yield | 9.4t/ha |
| Bunch compaction | Medium | Vigour | Medium |
| Juice TSS (°Brix) | 22.9 | Juice Baumé | 12.7 |
| Juice pH | 3.1 | Juice TA g/L | 6.9 |
Wine sensory assessment
Wines show lifted musk, floral and lime aromas, fine mineral, lime, peach and melon flavours.
A consumer survey showed that 66% of respondents liked the aroma, 69% liked the flavour, 52% liked the body, 65% liked the style and 74% found the variety to have commercial potential.
Wine judging results 2009 to 2011
| 2009 Winemakers Panel | 2010 Timber Towns Wine Show | 2010 Australian Alternative Variety Wine Show | 2010 Qantas Wine Show | 2011 Timber Towns Wine Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.6 | 16.0 | 14.5 | 15.6 | 15.9 |