Mundus Viniis one of the world’s most prestigious international competitions attracting over 11 000 entries from all the world’s major wine-growing regions. The judging jury of over 300 international wine experts represent the fields of retail trade, gastronomy, wine-making, wine business and media.
De Wetshof, CEO Johann de Wet, said receiving this recognition was of great importance to the farm as terroir and site-specific wine production has always been the focus of all aspects of De Wetshof’s viticulture and wine-making activities.
“For The Site to be judged Best South African White Wine at Mundus Vini also vindicates De Wetshof’s belief that Chardonnay is one of the jewels of the South African wine industry and that as a nation we can make Chardonnays competing with the best in the world,” he said. “This award from an esteemed panel of international judges most definitely vindicates our decision to focus on site-specific wines,” he said. “The Site is one of the five Chardonnay wines in our portfolio that each individually express the nuances garnered from their respective vineyard’s unique natural environment.”
The unique The Site vineyard is planted on gravel soils originating from mountain rock rich in limestone and clay. Said De Wet: “The high pH soils allow the wine to obtain a low pH in the wine level, allowing this single vineyard Chardonnay to portray a spectrum of flavours framed in elegance and complexity, given an added dimension by 12 months’ aging in French oak. This gives typical features of a classic Chardonnay. Citrus and pear-drop notes are complemented by an intriguing nuttiness, with elegant citrus on the finish. The Site improves in dimension and complexity with age and under the correct storage conditions it can mature further for several years.”
De Wet said that these international accolades for Chardonnay, such as through the Mundus Vini Awards, underscores the world-class quality of South African Chardonnay.
“The quality of South African Chardonnay has never been higher than now. Although its history in this country only goes back four decades, Chardonnay has shown itself as having found a true home at the southern tip of Africa producing distinctive wines with a true sense of place.
“As a pioneer of Chardonnay in South Africa, De Wetshof is proud to have played a role in creating this pedigree for the world’s greatest white variety, and I believe South Africa’s best is still to come.”