Strong suits, trump cards… Chenin Blanc Top 10 hot on the heels of Pinotage Top 10 as leading SA wine ambassadors

THE LATEST round of awards for SA white wines at the inaugural Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge again raises the issue of what South Africa hangs or should hang its hat on – in other words, what the industry’s strong suits or trump cards are.

Certainly there’s a case to be made for Chenin, and if Chenin is to be trumpeted as the SA white variety champ then there are many who would cheer for Pinotage among the red contenders. Use this link for an article on the topic commissioned by the Wade Bales Wine Society.
And when it comes to Chenin and Pinotage, there are only a few producers who’ve proven to be very proficient with both cultivars on a consistent basis over the past 10 years. Chief amongst them: Rijk’s of Tulbagh, Simonsig and Spier of Stellenbosch.

Rijk’s, Simonsig and Spier are winners in both the Top 10 Chenin Blanc and Top 10 Pinotage competitions this year, plus they have wines in the 2014 SA Chenin Classification and the SA Pinotage Classification.

WINNERS OF THE 2014 CHENIN BLANC TOP 10 CHALLENGE

Bellingham The Old Orchards Chenin Blanc 2013 @ R95pb – it’s usually The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin that takes the honours
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013 @ R141pb – only the second vintage of this wine after solid track records established for KZ’s Cellar and Vineyard Selections
KWV The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2012 @ R160pb – KWV also the home of a highly rated Cathedral Cellar Chenin Blanc
Perdeberg The Dry Land Collection Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2013 @ R73pb – it’s usually the Reserve version applauded at the podium
Remhoogte Honeybunch Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013 @ R150pb – the grapes for this wine having been used for Jean Daneel back in the day
Rijk’s Private Cellar Chenin Blanc 2009 @ R130pb – one of three wines in a range of Chenins named Touch of Oak, Private Cellar and Reserve (as per the Pinotage)
Simonsig Chenin Avec Chêne 2010 @ R110pb – the seventh vintage of this wine to receive rave reviews (on track to rival the 13 great vintages of Simonsig Redhill Pinotage)
Spier Woolworths Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2013 @ R110pb – Woolworths being the only retailer to stock this otherwise export-only label
Stellenrust Chenin Blanc 2014 @ R44pb – a surprise to many who expected the Barrel Fermented version to come out on top
Villiera Traditional Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2014 @ R95pb – producer of respectable SA Chenin for longer than most
 
 
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