Passionate and enthusiastic winemaker at Steenberg Vineyards, J.D. Pretorius, presented a tasting of top South African chenin blanc wines.
Also known as steen locally, South Africa produces even more chenin blanc than France’s Loire Valley. It is used for everything from generic dry white wines to age-worthy premium wines to ambitious sweet wines to brandy. The typical flavours are of yellow apples, litchi, ripe pineapple, ripe melon and the grape has a natural high acidity. In the 1960’s in South Africa it was popularised in a blend with crouchen blanc known as Lieberstein which at the time was the largest selling bottled wine in the world.
Steenberg Vineyards winemaker J.D.Pretorius
In the Swartland wine district chenin blanc vines aged up to 100 years are being revived by progressive wine makers like Eben Sadie and Adie Badenhorst to name only two. JD explained that the wines from this fruit have structure and backbone showing the natural harmony of the vine without needing manipulation in the cellar.
A lovely example of this is Mrs Kirsten’s Old Vines 2006 released last year and made by Eben Sadie. The vineyard belonging to Mrs Kirsten had patches that are as old as 100 years and was of course, no longer viable. Eben persuaded her not to pull out the vines and the wine he made sold out at R824 ($110). He plans to farm the vineyard for another 10 years.
A cross section of different Sout African chenin blanc styles of wine were tasted and they were:
Wildekrans Methode Cap Classique 2007
An all chenin, maiden bubbley with an explosive mousse.
Mooiplaas Chenin Blanc 2009
The 2008 vintage of this wine was the winner of the 2009 Chenin Challenge.
Beaumont Chenin Blanc 2009
Produced from old vines.
Graham Beck Gamekeeper’s Reserve Chenin Blanc 2009
This chenin delighted the tasting group as one of the best of the evening. Graham Beck Brut is said to be Michelle Obama’s favourite bubbley and was served to celebrate the US presidential election.
De Trafford Chenin Blanc 2008
Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2008
An impressive wine which was awarded 5 stars in the Platter’s South African Wines 2010.
Cederberg Five Generations 2007
At 1,200 meters above sea level, these are the highest vineyards in the Western Cape. The land has been farmed by five generations of David Niewoudt’s family. The winery has been a winner for 2 years running of a Decanter Award for the shiraz and has been awarded Waitrose Supplier of the Year for Innovative Farming. This wine is one of the best of the evening.
Graham Beck Bowed Head Chenin Blanc 2008
A delicious, barrell-fermented complex wine.
De Trafford 2008
The labels are designed by Rita Trafford, wife of David, internationally celebrated, artisanal wine maker.
Rijks Private Cellar 2007
An elegant wine which was part barrell fermented. Also a favourite of the tasting group.
Mulderbosch Steen Op Hout 2008
A mouth-filling with a dash of chenin blanc noble late harvest.
Raats 2005
Iconic, ambitious wine maker Bruwer Raats focuses on cabernet franc and chenin blanc. His cabernet franc has been rated in blind tastings as superior to Cheval Blanc 2004. Likewise his Chenin Blanc 2002 was favoured over two famous Loire wines.
Rudera Rubusto 2007
From a specialist chenin blanc producer, this wine is satisfying and complex.
