10/3/2023 0 Comments Chenin blanc![]() ![]() In South Africa, there is a similar spread of styles. One producer will typically look at what the vineyards have given her or him in that season, and then make a range of wines to match. In its Loire homeland, the range of styles even in the same region spans fresh, zippy sparkling wines, intensely dry white wines, textured off-dry wines and even unctuous sweet wines. Undoubtedly, one of the strengths of Chenin Blanc is its versatility. While very few serious examples of Chenin Blanc table wines existed at the time, the benefit of this long history of production is that many old bush vine vineyards existed, and it is these that have proven a treasure trove for today’s band of ambitious winemakers who are aiming to do wonderful things with this variety. It was in 1963 that Stellenbosch University viticulturalist Professor CJ Orffer finally proved that Steen was indeed Chenin Blanc. Steen became very popular, and many of the Steen vineyards were used to make base wines for brandy production – this was big business, especially in the first half of the 20 th century. But it certainly arrived early enough, and acquired the name Steen. It isn’t clear whether Chenin arrived in the Cape in 1655 as one of the very first vine imports, or a few years later. It was named Chenin Blanc in the 15 th century, and the first vines reached South Africa in the middle of the 17 th century. Chenin just makes fantastic wines.Ĭhenin hails from the Anjou region in France’s Loire Valley, and was thought to be growing there in the 9 th century. ![]() And while Pinotage has fans, it also has enemies. There’s almost twice as much Chenin in South Africa than there is in France. It’s South Africa’s most widely planted grape variety, with just shy of 19 000 hectares in the ground. While Pinotage lovers may dispute this, Chenin’s claims are several. When Pinotage is blended with other red varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Pinot Noir (all commonly vinified alone as well), it is often labeled as a “Cape Blend.” Chenin Blanc (locally known as “Steen”) dominates white wine production, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc following close behind.Of all the grape varieties grown in the Cape, it’s Chenin Blanc that perhaps has the strongest claim to be South Africa’s signature variety. Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is the country’s “signature” grape, responsible for red-fruit-driven, spicy, earthy reds. South Africa’s wine zones are divided into region, then smaller districts and finally wards, but the country’s wine styles are differentiated more by grape variety than by region. Similarly, cooler, high-elevation vineyard sites throughout South Africa offer similar, favorable growing conditions. But the Benguela Current from Antarctica provides brisk ocean breezes necessary for steady ripening of grapes. ![]() Wine production is mainly situated around Cape Town, where the climate is generally warm to hot. Today, however, South Africa is increasingly responsible for high-demand, high-quality wines-a blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. Since then, the South African wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century. The country has a particularly long and rich history with winemaking, especially considering its status as part of the “New World.” In the mid-17th century, the lusciously sweet dessert wines of Constantia were highly prized by the European aristocracy. With an important wine renaissance in full swing, impressive red and white bargains abound in South Africa. ![]()
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