Perdeberg show 'diversity of expression' with Chenin Blanc

Media members were invited to a tasting, hosted by Perdeberg Wines to showcase diversity in expression of its Chenin Blanc vines and wines.

On Thursday, 25 August, a select few members of South Africa’s wine media were invited to an intimate tasting, hosted by Perdeberg Wines’ CEO Gerhard van der Watt and cellar master Albertus Louw to showcase the diversity of expression with its Chenin Blanc wines.

Chenin Blanc may well be the most underrated and versatile white wine grape in the world. It makes wines high in acidity that generally take a while to unfurl and show its mettle.

But with time in bottle they can hold their own with the finest white wines in the world and, crucially, continue to improve for decades — a real sign of quality.

Perdeberg — the self-proclaimed “Home of Chenin Blanc” — has a rich history which dates back to 1941, when a visionary wine farmer named Jan Rossouw suggested the area’s farmers begin producing their own wine.

Perdeberg: Chenin expression

Situated in the fertile Agter-Paarl area, between Malmesbury and Durbanville, Perdeberg is in a fortunate position to maximise the opportunities to create diverse wines that this unique landscape has to offer.

Perdeberg adopted its distinguishing name from the scores of Cape Mountain zebras that once roamed the Paardeberg area, mistaken for wild horses by local inhabitants.

The winery has access to some very smart, old-vine parcels within its immediate surrounds. The majority of its vines are unirrigated dryland vineyards cultivated on various soil types.

Perdeberg Winery, situated in Agter-Paarl.

Given the winery’s close mountain proximity, these soils consist mainly of decomposed granite with shale, schist and clay to a lesser extent.

Perdeberg’s vineyards span over 3 000 ha, with the majority being unirrigated and untrellised, yielding a very low long-term average of 7.8 tons per ha.

While dryland vineyards often yield low-bearing grape bunches, it does however, produce smaller, concentrated berries packing with intense flavour, complexity, texture and elegance — a marked difference from its irrigated competitors.

The flight included Perdeberg’s Classic Collection Chenin Blanc 2022; The Vineyard Collection Chenin Blanc 2022; The Dryland Collection Old Vine Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2021 (Courageous) & Rossouw’s Heritage (blend of Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc & Viognier) & Natural Sweet Chenin Blanc 2018 (Longevity) & Fortified Chenin Blanc 2021 (Fortitude).

For me, the following three wines really stood out:

The Vineyard Collection Old Vine Chenin Blanc Cap Classique 2019: A sparkling wine made from 100% Old Vine Chenin Blanc planted Agter-Paarl in 1977. It’s a Brut-style Cap Classique (6 g/l residual sugar, 5.2 g/l acidity & 3.74 pH) with notes of green pear, Granny Smit apples, lime and grapefruit. Fresh minerality with a biscuity finish and full mouthfeel. Download tasting notes & wine fact sheet.

Perdeberg Cellar Old Vine Chenin Blanc MCC

Endura Single-Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2020: Made from a single-vineyard (18-year-old bushvine) of Chenin Blanc on top of Paardeberg Mountain, planted on decomposed granite soils, the wine is naturally fermented in ceramic Amphora, Diamanté wine tanks and French oak barrels, and aged on the lees for eight months. Linear and elegant, with notes of ripe stone fruit, citrus and lemon on the nose.

Natuurlik Organic Chenin Blanc 2022: Natuurlik is Perdeberg’s first foray into the organic wine market and destined mostly for export. The grapes are sourced from Darling (the only wine where grapes are NOT sourced from its region), vineyards grown organically and with biological control. Elegant, refreshing and focused, offering a lot of minerality and complexity. Download tasting notes & wine fact sheet.

Being one of the earliest advocates for Chenin Blanc — planted more widely in South Africa than anywhere else in the world — Perdeberg’s dedicated grower members, viticulturists and winemakers have consistently planted and produced a diverse range of exceptional Chenin Blanc, many of which have received prestigious wine accolades.

A torchbearer for Chenin Blanc in South Africa, Perdeberg have contributed to the revolution of Chenin Blanc in South Africa, transforming the ‘workhorse’ grape into a ‘go-to’ grape for excellence in recent years.

During our tasting, Gerhard urged us to critique the wines. “Feedback is the food of champions,” he quips. It was hard to fault any of these wines. Albertus and his team expertly use Chenin Blanc as a canvas to express the essence of the varietal in a bouquet of flavours and styles. My only criticism? For wines made so well, prices are far too cheap!