Producing some of the finest Chardonnays in the world, De Wetshof Estate can boast a diverse range of wines to suit all tastes
The first bottle of wine that ever made sense to me was a Chardonnay shared with my wife in a quaint little village in Chablis, the famous Chardonnay producing appellation in France. From that moment on I’ve always loved the grape, but have found that in South Africa there is a love hate relationship with the variety. As we produce some of the finest Chardonnays in the world, I asked Johann de Wet – third generation owner of De Wetshof – to share with us his passion for this grand old lady.
Chalk and cheese may be direct opposites, but chalk and Chardonnay is a match made in heaven – a heaven for wine drinkers, that is. Soils rich in chalk are considered ideal for bringing out the best of the Chardonnay grape. And with the highest chalk content of any of South Africa’s wine regions, Robertson is to Chardonnay what a roaring gale is to a kite-surfer: ideal.
Chardonnay was introduced to the Robertson region by Danie de Wet of De Wetshof Estate in the 1980’s and today the farm is still recognised as one of South Africa’s leading Chardonnay producers. With good soils, a temperate climate and focused wine-making, quality Chardonnay can never go out of style and remains the world’s most sought-after white wine.
“On De Wetshof it is about focusing on certain vineyard-sites and making wines that best express the natural characteristics those individual pockets of vineyards bring to the final bottled product.
“Chardonnay is well-known for its ability to mirror specific soils and climatic factors and when the variety, clone and terroir are in harmony, the variety brings its best features to the fore. The diverse sites on our farm allow De Wetshof to make a range of Chardonnays each with individual characteristics. Clay soils, for example, give Chardonnay a broader mouth-feel and riper flavours. But wines made from our stonier, gravel soils, end as wines with austerity and mineral depth,” says Johan.
The diverse range of De Wetshof Chardonnays vary from wooded wines produced from some of the oldest vineyards in South Africa – such as the Bateleur and The Site – to refreshingly pure unwooded wines such as the Bon Vallon and Limestone Hill.
“With our wooded Chardonnays we believe we are not lumberjacks but winemakers, so our barrels are used for adding structure and complexity without embarking wood-flavours,” says Johann. “Today’s consumer is really taking a liking to unwooded wines due to their freshness as approachability, and here our Limestone Hill has really succeeded in cultivating a love for and appreciation of Chardonnay among younger and fashionable consumers.
“And being a Chardonnay House, De Wetshof is proud to play a role in growing supporters for this fantastic grape variety.” *
SPECIALS: De Wetshof Finesse, R80, and De Wetshof Limestone Hill Chardonnay, R65.