Like its people and culture, South African wine is a melting pot. You can find just about everything there, from the Cabernets and Merlots of Bordeaux to the Syrahs and Grenaches of the Rhône to the Pinot Noirs of Burgundy and California, among the reds; and all kinds of whites, including Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. All of them thrive in the highly varied, southernmost Cape region of South Africa.
This is among the coolest parts of the country and the entire continent. It’s where the Southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge and where mountains tower not far inland. In between are the winelands, as they are known.
Just about all the vineyards in South Africa are located within a couple of hours or so of Cape Town and benefit from cooling influences of the sea. It’s a stunningly beautiful part of the world, as I saw for myself on a visit in 2016. Where else can you find baboons, penguins, ostriches, and whales within an hour of the vineyards?
And the wines? There are so many that deserve more attention...
Here are seven top South African Chenin Blancs:
Beaumont Family Wines Chenin Blanc 2023
This expression from the small, cool-climate Bot River appellation in Walker Bay is young and crisp with fresh tropical and stone fruit flavors and a mineral note. The winery’s slogan, “elegance over power,” is an apt description. The wine is aged in concrete and stainless-steel tanks.
Lievland Vineyards Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2022
This well-balanced wine from the Paarl region shows notes of ripe stone fruit and muted citrus along with hints of smoke and flint and touches of cream and minerals. It’s crisp and elegant with racy acidity.
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