2021 Cher et Tendre Vouvray
Regular price £12.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A delicious, relatively rare and 'precious' style of Vouvray.
Tasting Notes
The purity and freshness of flavour is key to this wine as is the balance between the natural acidity and natural sugar. Delicate notes of witch hazel and bergamot on the nose, backed up by crisp flavours of fresh hazelnuts and quince … tantalising and quite different to the sweeter options that are easier to find in Vouvray.
Producer
The grapes were harvested during the early hours of the day, before the sun has time to heat up the vines, this is essential in order to keep the bright, fresh character that one looks ofr in a just off-dry Vouvray with around 8-10g r/s. The wine is kept on fine lees in cool cellars that are hollowed into the chalky rock strata, thus optimising both freshness and complexity. We gave this wine the name 'Cher et Tendre' ('precious or 'treasure') as it's a relatively rare and precious style of Vouvray, 'Tendre' because it captures the smooth, round and rich flavours of fully ripe and delicately perfumed Chenin Blanc.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
A streak of minerality which runs through the finish matches the wine seamlessly to creamy chicken dishes, gently spicy Asian cuisines or a crisp mixed salad. |
Origin | Touraine, Loire |
Appellation | Vouvray Controllee |
2022 Première The Loire Vouvray
Regular price £12.25 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A classic Vouvray, full of flavour and style.
Tasting Notes
Pale straw in colour, with distinctive stone fruit aromas of apricot and peach with a touch of honey. The fruit flavours follow through on the palate with a touch of minerality, leaving a delicate and lingering finish.
Producer
Formed in 1973, Pierre Chainier is both a négociant and the owner of some 250 hectares of vines in the heart of Touraine, from which it sources classic Loire varieties. Its eight Touraine estates include Domaine de la Bruyère in the newly established appellation of Touraine-Chenonceaux. Conversely, Clos de Nouys, its 25 acre Vouvray estate, is one of the oldest in the appellation. Here, vines average 35 years of age in vineyards that were already listed amongst the best sites on geological maps dating from 1907.
Note on Sustainability
For both its négociant arm and its own vineyards, Pierre Chainier seamlessly blends the principles of reasoned agriculture with the most modern winemaking techniques. It encourages sustainable development and official certification for its growers, it uses sugar cane-derived biodegradable “corks”, and it has a comprehensive waste recycling programme.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches |
Pair with roast chicken, or spicy oriental dishes. |
Origin | Loire |
Appellation | Vouvray AOP |
2018 Marras Piekenierskloof Chenin Blanc
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of pear, quince and baking spice.
Palate
Tastes of fresh juicy pear on the palate and a refreshing aftertaste.
Winemakers Notes
Grapes were ripened by bush vines on the Piekenierskloof mountain. Hand harvested grapes were cooled overnight. Destemmed, crushed and left for 4 hours to obtain skin contact. Partially natural fermented. Combination of barrel and tank fermentation. Matured on fine lees for 6 months.
Vineyards
If you can talk to a grape, it will tell you that the Piekenierskloof region is the ideal spot for a tough top class wine-producing grape, as it’s exposed to extreme conditions. Piekenierskloof is the mountain pass between Piketberg and Citrusdal, over the Olifants River Mountains. With warm inland temperatures rising from the Swartland during the day and cool Atlantic sea breezes rolling in overnight, these grapes grow in a dryer soil with just enough water to produce grapes that add depth and complexity to every single sip.
The Region
The Swartland begins some 50 kilometers north of Cape Town and consists of the regions between the towns of Malmesbury in the south, Darling in the west, Piketberg in the north and the Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel in the east. It is so called because of the endemic Renosterbos that appears dark mainly when it rains in winter. The Swartland area is mainly known for wheat, but the crown prince in this area is the small concentrated berries of the vines that produce well-balanced and exceptionally ripe and deep-flavoured wines.
Alan's Personal Notes
"This is really good!! Warm rich stone fruits with wonderfully exhibitive mineral notes and fresh acidity to make it incredibly rich but perfectly balanced with great length and complexity!!"
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Roast chicken, turkey and pork |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation | WO Swartland |
2022 Marras Los Tros Chenin Blanc
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
This wine is bursting with aromatic notes of lemon, apricot and pear.
Palate
On the palate, stone fruit and pear skin flavour characteristics are complemented by a crisp acidity and a round mouthfeel with a refreshing finish.
Winemakers Notes
Marras is the small but mighty label by talented young winemaker Martin Lamprecht, who brings fresh ideas to his current home in the Swartland. This area is a melting pot for hot new talent and South Africa's leading region for liberal winemaking and experimentation. This Chenin Blanc was handpicked and spent 6 months ageing on its fine lees in old 300-litre barrels.
Vineyards
If you can talk to a grape, it will tell you that the Piekenierskloof region is the ideal spot for a tough top class wine-producing grape, as it’s exposed to extreme conditions. Piekenierskloof is the mountain pass between Piketberg and Citrusdal, over the Olifants River Mountains. With warm inland temperatures rising from the Swartland during the day and cool Atlantic sea breezes rolling in overnight, these grapes grow in a dryer soil with just enough water to produce grapes that add depth and complexity to every single sip.
The Region
The Swartland begins some 50 kilometers north of Cape Town and consists of the regions between the towns of Malmesbury in the south, Darling in the west, Piketberg in the north and the Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel in the east. It is so called because of the endemic Renosterbos that appears dark mainly when it rains in winter. The Swartland area is mainly known for wheat, but the crown prince in this area is the small concentrated berries of the vines that produce well-balanced and exceptionally ripe and deep-flavoured wines.
Alan's Personal Notes
"This is really good!! Warm rich stone fruits with wonderfully exhibitive mineral notes and fresh acidity to make it incredibly rich but perfectly balanced with great length and complexity!! Much better value wine than its cape cousins!!"
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Mezze, cold meats and salads |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation | WO Swartland |
2022/2023 Anthonij Rupert 'Protea' Chenin Blanc
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Fresh enticing aromas of apple, white pear and summer fruits are supported by gentle floral notes that invite you in for more. The palate is clean and refreshing, with succulent flavours of white peach and kiwi fruit vying for dominance. Crispy apple, pear and nectarine flavours are also present and beautifully balanced with a firm, fresh acidity which lingers seamlessly in a long finish
In the Vineyard
About the Harvest
The wine spent time on the lees in stainless steel tanks, before being blended and bottled.
In the Cellar
The grapes were handpicked during the early morning hours at optimal ripeness and transported to the cellar. The fruit was both de-stemmed and whole bunch pressed and the juice was settled overnight. All parcels were kept separate and racked into fermentation with selected yeast strain cultures.
History
Anthonij Rupert Wyne was founded on the farm, L`Ormarins in Franschhoek. Originally owned by the late Anthonij Rupert, who passed away in 2001, the farm was eventually taken over by his brother Johann Rupert in 2003 and the brand named after him. It was Johann Rupert who constructed a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, catapulting the farm into a prestigious wine estate and the beginnings of what is now a sprawling enterprise.
The focus is on terroir specific wines and therefore it would seem obvious that the brand is made up of an impressive portfolio of farms representing the best in grape producing locations. The portfolio is made up of L`Ormarins situated in Franschhoek, Rooderust in Darling, Riebeeksrivier in the Swartland and Altima in isolated Elandskloof. Individually each site offers optimum varietal specific growing conditions, allowing Anthonij Rupert Wyne to adhere to the requirements of their different brands.
Specifications
Year | 2022/2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Food Matching | Perfect with White Fish, Soft Cheese, Seafood and Salmon |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Paarl |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2023 Forager White (Chenin Blanc & Grenache Blanc)
Regular price £12.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Traversing the beautiful vineyards of the Western Cape, I have the good fortune to often taste small and unique parcels of wine. Winemakers create blends to accentuate certain qualities or add complexity to a wine. Forager is one such blend, assembled from selected grapes each with its own special character, 'foraged' from various vineyards, barrels and batches to create a distinctive wine in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Light yellow-straw.
Nose
The nose is reminiscent of apricot, peach, and quince with hints of lychee and cardamom.
Palate
Citrus and stone fruit follow on the palate, rounded by subtle oak and punchy lime acidity. The finish is long and dry. Medium to full-bodied.
Vineyards
Dryland vineyards in Paarl and Swartland, aged between 12-36 years. Various soil types, ranging from decomposed granite, shale, and alluvial soils.
Winemaking
The grapes were hand-picked with rigorous bunch selection in the vineyards. They were handled separately in the cellar, and only the free-run juice was cold-fermented with a selection of yeast strains to impart complexity. After fermentation, 40% of the wine was racked into a combination of 300L and 500L French oak barrels ranging from 2nd to 4th fill. The wine was given extended lees contact in the barrel for 3-5 months, after which it was racked, blended, and bottled.
Awards
- 2019: Best Value White Blend - Winemag, 90pt - Winemag, 4 Stars Platter
- 2020: Gold Gilbert & Gaillard - 4 Stars Platter, 92pt Winemag - Top 10 White blends, Winemag
- 2021: Double Gold Gilbert & Gaillard - 4 Stars Diners Club 2023 - 91pt Winemag
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 78% Chenin Blanc & 22% Grenache Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.6% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Suggestion |
Pair with wild mushroom risotto, Moroccan chicken tagine, or herb-crusted rack of lamb. Serve below room temperature: 8°C to 10°C. |
Cellaring Potential |
This wine can be enjoyed now but will reward cellaring for up to 3-4 years. |
Additional Information |
Integrity & Sustainably Certified |
Origin | Paarl & Swartland |
Appellation | Western Cape |
2021 Coterie by Wildeberg Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc
Regular price £12.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Production
Wildeberg’s rationale is to source the finest vineyards available to us across Franschhoek and the Coastal Region, from which cuvées the eyes are plucked to make Wildeberg and the Terroir Series releases. In doing so there remains a small yet definitive expression of all the vineyards we worked with, and its these cuvees that are again selected to go into Coterie by Wildeberg. Chenin and Grenache Blanc complement each other well. Both varietals love the Coastal Region’s arid soils and Mediterranean climate due to their inherent tolerance to drought. Both components were naturally fermented in 600 litre French oak barrels. The Chenin is from an old, low-yielding Franschhoek vineyard planted in 1962 (65%). This brings freshness and tightness to the blend, the old vines also bring Wildeberg’s hallmark texture. The Grenache Blanc is from vibrant, younger plantings Paarl (35%), adding body and structure with this cultivars naturally exotic notes of jasmine and white spice. 65% 2nd fill and 35% 3rd fill barrels.
Producer
The Earth’s mantle thrusts up above the gentle town of Franschhoek, a wild slice of untamed mountain on which sits a farm named Wildeberg. An established wine region for some 350 years, sensible generations never thought to plant a vine here until a happy band of idealists recently craned their necks up at this hillside and, dizzy with hope, decided to give it a go. Franschhoek is on the very edge of the south-eastern corner of the Cape’s venerable Coastal Region, indeed Wildeberg’s property border runs over the top of the mountain where the Coastal Region gives way to the baboon-strewn road to Grabouw and the wider Western Cape.
The Wildeberg wines express the most captivating Franschhoek Valley fruit. In our Wildeberg Terroirs bottlings we look beyond our home to a clutch of exceptional sites of other origin.
A mountain rich in metaphor with the visual heft to flatter any wine, releases of Wildeberg and Terroirs express our continued purpose – exceptional wines of place, however humble the origin. If the abiding memory of our wines remains a textural sense of place then we are portraying the Cape as hoped.
Sustainability
Wildeberg is a 144ha wine farm set against the backdrop of the dramatic Franschhoek mountains, on the very edge of viticultural possibilities. To farm here you have to be in tune with nature, respecting the earth and the elements, creating wines which truly express the terroir with minimal intervention.
This special area is home to 4 endangered Fynbos species, and a key mission of Wildeberg is to conserve this vegetation type as they are critical to the biodiversity of the Western Cape. This work entails clearing invasive alien trees which can overwhelm the Fynbos and contribute to the threat of forest fires. Fynbos covered mountains like those at Wildeberg are thought to be responsible for delivering one glass of water in five in South Africa, due to the plants allowing up to 80% of rainwater to run off into rivers and reservoirs rather than being absorbed into the soil.
Water is precious in South Africa, and waste water from the winery passes through a natural wetland with indigenous reeds and plants before being pumped into our irrigation dam. We then use this water to irrigate the vines.
All Wildeberg wines are certified as part of South Africa’s sustainability accreditation, the ‘Integrated Production of Wine’ (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of audited guidelines specifying agricultural practices, manufacturing practices and bottling activities.
Wildeberg is also a proud member of the Cape’s Old Vine Project (OVP), which preserves blocks of vines which are 35 years and older. The project encourages producers to farm as close to nature as possible whilst raising awareness of the inherent potential of old vines to produce outstanding and expressive wines.
Awards
- Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards (2022 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 65% Chenin Blanc, 35% Grenache Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% ABV |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | This is a rich, textural wine whose body and exotic jasmine notes would ably marry with gentle Malay and Thai green fish curries, dishes with lemongrass and coriander, or just simply braai-ed linefish |
Appellation | W.O. Coastal Region |