False Bay Slow Chenin Blanc

A prominent minerality on the nose, great freshness and a bright acidity.

A well-balanced Chenin Blanc with a prominent minerality on the nose, great freshness and a bright acidity. The long wild yeast ferment provides heady aromas and additional complexity to the wine. Dried herbaceous notes, including fennel and aniseed from the nearby Fynbos, dominate the nose and palate, followed by a creamy lemon character. A versatile wine that is well suited to partner dishes like seafood risotto or roast chicken.

The grapes for False Bay Slow Chenin Blanc stem from old bush vines in the coastal region. Old vines are key to making stand-out chenin and although the Swartland is not as coastal as other vineyards used for the False Bay wines, it is an area where, quite frankly, grapes from old vines are available at the required prices. Thankfully, the area's old vines produce naturally low yields and retain good acidity despite being warmer and less windswept than Stellenbosch, so cooler, coastal Atlantic winds are less of a necessity for these gnarly old vines.

Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, fermented spontaneously with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks and then left on lees for a minimum of ten months before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly wine sustainably farmed and naturally crafted.

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£9.99

Style

  • 4/5

    Acidity

  • 1/5

    Tannin

  • 1/5

    Sweetness

  • Medium

    Alcohol

  • Medium

    Body

Aromas

  • Lemon

  • Liquorice

  • Vegetal

Details

More Information
Wine TypeWhite wine
ClosureScrew Cap
Alc. Vol13%
RegionElgin
CountrySouth Africa
Grape VarietalChenin Blanc
Food PairingsSeafood, Chicken, Lobster, Creamy Risotto, Herb Crusted Lamb

Tivoli Wine Customer Reviews

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is a white grape variety that is grown throughout the world, most notably in the French Loire Valley and South Africa. It’s a variety that produces a wide range of styles, from sparkling wines and lean, dry whites to sweet, golden nectars and brandy. The grape itself provides a fairly neutral palate, being able to flaunt the expression of terroir, vintage variation, and the winemaker’s treatment.

In South Africa, Chenin (also called Steen) is the most widely planted variety. It is sometimes blended with Semillon, Viognier, and Marsanne to make a richer-styled wine similar to an oaked Chardonnay. It can also blended with Sauvignon Blanc to create a fresh and zesty dry wine.

The Loire Valley is much cooler in climate. The high acid, less ripe grapes make a great base for sparkling (Crémant de Loire). Riper grapes are used in the richly aromatic, off-dry styles (Vouvray). Finally, at the end of the harvest season, the last grapes picked are beyond ripe or affected with noble rot, which concentrates the grapes’ sugars, lending rich flavours of marmalade, ginger, and saffron. These late harvest grapes go into the famous sweet wines of the region, including Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux.