Why insist on Chenin Blanc as a component? It's what makes such wines particularly, if not uniquely, of this country. If we were to make Chenin Blanc non-compulsory then producers forfeit a significant point of difference relative to wines from elsewhere in the world - with approximately 18 000ha of Chenin in the ground, it's our most planted variety and we should find ways to celebrate it.
There were 38 wines in the line-up, these judged blind, labels out of sight. 22 wines were rated 90 or higher on the 100-point quality scale and these were recognised during an event held at Fairview in Paarl on Wednesday, 15 November.
95
Keermont Terrasse 2015
Price: R160
94
Lammershoek Terravinum Reserve White 2016
Price: R185
Solms Delta Amalie 2015
Price: R180
93
Cavalli Cremello 2015
Price: R135
Lammershoek The Innocent White Blend 2015
Price: R88
Olifantsberg Blanc 2016
Price: R165
Painted Wolf Peloton Blanc 2016
Price: R100
92
Fairview Nurok 2016
Price: R170
Muratie Laurens Campher 2016
Price: R135
91
Bergsig Icarus 2016
Price: R180
Blake's Family Wines Tourmaline 2016
Price: R120
Darling Cellars Lime Kilns 2016
Price: R100
Eerste Hoop Lodewijk X 2017
Price: R240
Miles Mossop Saskia 2014
Price: R257
Sijnn White 2016
Price: R180
90
Bosman Family Vineyards Adama 2016
Price: R150
B Vintners Haarlem to Hope 2016
Price: R185
Leipzig White Leipzig 2017
Price: R110
Marvelous Yellow 2015
Price: R90
Rascallion Vinyl Collection 33 1/3 RPM 2017
Price: R118
Vrede en Lust Artisan Range Chenin Blanc Semillon 2016
Price: R129
Zevenwacht The Tin Mine White 2016
Price: R79
To read the report in full, go to Winemag.co.za.
Join the conversation and follow the action on twitter #CapeWhiteReport