Beyerskloof Chenin Blanc-Pinotage 2012
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Beyers Truter, winery founder and winemaker, searched for prime land within Stellenbosch to plant his Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Truter is not only known as "Mr. Pinotage" to much of the industry, but he is also one of South Africa’s most respected winemakers. In addition, he was awarded the Robert Mondavi Trophy as the International Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in London.
Truter was formerly winemaker for Kanonkop Wine Estate, where his first Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded the best table wine at the Stellenbosch Wine Show. Truter teamed with Simon Halliday and opened Beyerskloof in 1988.
There are hundreds of white grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles.
South Africa’s most famous wine-producing district, Stellenbosch, surrounds the historic town with the same name; fine winemaking here dates back to the late 1600s. Its valleys of granite, sandstone and alluvial loam soils between the towering blue-grey mountains of Stellenbosch, Simonsberg and Helderberg have the capacity to produce beautiful wines from many varieties. The climate is warm Mediterranean, tempered by the cool Atlantic air of nearby False Bay.
Perhaps most well-known for its Pinotage and Bordeaux blends, Stellenbosch also produces noteworthy wines from Syrah, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. The district’s wards—Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills and Simonsberg-Stellenbosch—all produce distinctive wines from vines with relatively low yields.