The Capeography Chenin blanc 2023

Originating from the hills above Paarl Mountain in the Western Cape region of South Africa, this vintage comes from old Chenin Blanc vines grown on granite soils mixed with clay; exposure to the coastal breeze and cool nights stabilize the ripening of the vines and allow for a fruity, lively and mineral wine, the signature of this high-altitude terroir.

The winemaking process begins with hand-harvesting at the ideal moment of ripeness, followed by rapid cooling of the grapes before gentle pressing. The juice then ferments in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures to preserve the aromas, and the wine remains on its fine lees for several months to develop its texture. There is no overly emphatic aging, in order to highlight the freshness and clarity of the grape variety.

This wine reveals notes of ripe pear , quince , lemon zest , baked apple , acacia blossom , and mineral notes . On the palate, the wine is supported by a beautiful texture, balanced by a pleasant acidity and a fresh, saline finish.

The first vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really begin to take off until the arrival of French Protestants, in the 1680s, with their skills and their 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 have 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 can also be 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, strongly 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 Cinsaut 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.