If there’s one white grape that South Africa is known for, it has to be chenin blanc. Chenin blanc is an unique grape because it’s so flexible. Not only can it be utilized to make dry wines, but it can likewise produce sweet white wines as well. It’s precious as a still white wine, however it’s frequently made use of in sparkling wine production too. Like chardonnay, it can be full-bodied and oily or handle more of an acidic, refreshing character. And if you want to try a top-quality chenin blanc, it’s clear that South Africa is the place to go– over 50% of the world’s chenin is discovered in the country.
According to the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, in the past, the South African area of Swartland was mainly understood for its production of relatively low-cost, high-volume white wines. However, that’s changing– Swartland is now also acknowledged for its old-vine chenin blanc, which can producing focused, intricate wines that tend to be dry-farmed.