Chenin Blanc 2023

The Beaumont Chenin Blanc is produced in the Bot River Valley , a cool wine appellation located in the Western Cape region of South Africa, near the Atlantic Ocean. The Beaumont family vineyard rests on soils of Ancient schist and alluvial soils provide excellent natural drainage, while a climate tempered by sea breezes and significant temperature variations promotes slow and balanced ripening of the grapes. This privileged location gives Chenin Blanc an intense aromatic expression while retaining remarkable vibrancy and elegance, a hallmark of cool South African terroirs.

Winemaking is carried out with minimal intervention, aiming to preserve the purity of the fruit and the freshness of the terroir. The grapes, from vines of varying ages, are harvested at optimal ripeness, then gently pressed before being transferred to a combination of concrete and stainless steel tanks . Fermentation is slow and controlled to maintain the natural tension of the Chenin Blanc, and the wine is then aged for approximately four months on its fine lees in tanks, promoting a more complex texture and greater aromatic depth before bottling.

This wine reveals notes of juicy pear, green apple , fresh citrus, melon , honeysuckle , and a saline nuance typical of Bot River that adds depth. On the palate, the expression is lively and elegant, structured by a beautiful acidity that perfectly balances the aromatic richness. The texture is fine and carried by a saline sensation, offering an impression of purity and precision.

The first grape vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really take off until the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s with their skills and knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s. Today, South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often share more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, heavily influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.