Winemaker Notes
This high-altitude Sauvignon Blanc entices with its luminous pale, watery yellow color. The aromatic nose leaps from the glass with a kaleidoscope of nuances
including Cape gooseberry, kiwifruit, tropical fruit including granadilla, and
pineapple. The palate is alive with all these aromas, including a sensation of
slight sherbet sweetness to offset the refreshing lemony-lime green apple finish.
This wine calls for summer! Pair it with all your fresh leafy salads dressed with a
lemon vinaigrette. Sauvignon Blanc loves goat’s milk cheese in any form, be it on
crusty baguette or added to Greek orzo with tomatoes, feta, olives and fresh
basil. A sprinkling of ground black pepper will connect all the flavours. Or
simply enjoy a glass of this lively Sauvignon Blanc with friends on the beach or
around the pool, or serve it at your next al fresco lazy summer lunch.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
With an important wine renaissance in full swing, impressive red and white bargains abound in South Africa. 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. 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.
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. Wine production is mainly situated around Cape Town, where the climate is generally warm to hot. But the Benguela Current from Antarctica provides brisk ocean breezes necessary for steady ripening of grapes. Similarly, cooler, high-elevation vineyard sites throughout South Africa offer similar, favorable growing conditions.
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. Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is the country’s “signature” grape, responsible for red-fruit-driven, spicy, earthy reds. 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.