It’s chenin’s moment in the sun. While pinotage gets the most press for being SA’s patriotic grape, we have more plantings of the chenin blanc grape than any other wine region in the world.
After practically centuries of being a workhorse varietal – as a blending component in bulk wines or as a base for brandy – producers have seen the light and are making increasingly complex wines, with flavours that range from fresh and fruity to ripe and sweet. This versatility translates into a diverse number of styles which, for the wine drinker, can be a little confusing. You may have tried a fresh and fruity chenin and decided you don’t care much for the grape, when perhaps you would have rather preferred a wooded sample.
Being our most widely planted cultivar, chenin’s long history in South Africa’s vineyards has an added bonus: the mass plantings have resulted in a large amount of old vine chenin too.
In a story of the triumph of the underdog, these vineyards are making concentrated, expressive wines – that will give any fine wine in the world a run for its money. Imbued with South African sunshine, it’s a varietal we can be proud to hang our hat on.
About Breedekloof Makers
“The Breedekloof Wine Valley is widely regarded as South Africa’s ‘most generous wine route’ as you always get more value than you expect,” says Jeanri-Tine van Zyl (Feed That Bird – Wine Communication Consultants). “The Breedekloof Wine Valley has been synonymous with chenin blanc for decades and some farms are home to chenin blanc vines planted as far back as 1962. This, together with South African consumers’ growing love for chenin blanc, resulted in the formation of the Breedekloof Makers, a band of like-minded winemakers, who are making exceptionally beautiful chenin blanc, only in boutique quantities.”
Find more information on Breedekloof Wine Makers here.
Read: Top wine trends to look out for in 2017
To win a mixed case (12 bottles) of Chenin Blanc from Breedekloof Makers, simply complete the entry form below. Competition ends 31 January 2017. Terms and conditions apply.
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Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine. www.imkawebb.com
