2024 Spier Chenin Blanc Signature

The Chenin Blanc is one of the grapes of South Africa, planted here since time immemorial. Over the years, the recognition for the quality of this grape has also grown in South Africa. One of the most important characteristics is that it can cope well with the warm climate of the Cape, and therefore always manages to retain its acids and character. It can produce light-footed wines, but also wines that are very powerful in character. The grapes for this wine come from both vineyards with bush vines and from modern vineyards with Chenin vines stretched on wire. Only the wine from the best vineyard blocks is used for the Signature. This Signature Chenin Blanc is made in a wonderfully fresh and stylish way, with an elegant taste and sparkling fruit. The grapes undergo a short contact with the skins upon arrival, to give them more flavour. The wine is fermented in tank, and also matures in tank, to retain all the fruit. Moreover, the Chenin Blanc has enough character of its own. It matures for another three months on the yeast cells, which make it extra rich and firm in character. A delicious, smooth and fresh Chenin Blanc is the result.

In the glass, the Signature Chenin Blanc has a bright straw yellow color with a hint of green. The Signature Chenin Blanc is made in a deliciously fresh style, with beautiful notes of elderflowers and ripe pear, passion fruit, spring-like, perfumed in the nose. In the mouth, this Chenin Blanc is aromatic and dry with the ripe apple known for Chenin and a delicious liveliness. Elegant, dry white wine. Delicious aperitif, with spicy crab cakes, fried plaice, pasta dishes or a delicious green chicken salad.

The roots of the Spier estate go back to the early years of the colony at the Cape, in 1692. In that year, the original farm in Stellenbosch was founded by the German colonist Arnout Janz. He was also the one who realised that the soil was very suitable for viticulture, and planted the first vines. The first grapes were pressed, and the old cellar, which was built in 1767, is one of the oldest wine buildings in the Cape. It is still the proud property of the estate. Today, Spier is one of the most innovative wine companies in South Africa, with a cellar that has been modernised and expanded in recent years to realise its great ambitions. And in the same light, we must see the expansion of the vineyard area, where the full control of a large team of experienced and talented winemakers is present, led by the chief winemaker, Frans Smit.

According to the winemakers of Spier, winemaking is an art. The grapes for the Classic Range grow in specially selected vineyards, picked at optimum ripeness and vinified in such a way that all the characteristics of the wines are well preserved. Light wood aging provides an elegant background next to the fruit tones. The grapes of the Private Collection wines are selected by hand in the old, single variety vineyards. After vinification, the wines are matured in French oak barrels. Only then does the final selection of the wines take place, because only the best wines may bear the title 'Private Collection'. Witness the many prizes that Spier has won with these wines.

The wines from the Spier Estate in Stellenbosch are produced organically, which means that no artificial fertilizers, chemical pesticides or herbicides are used.