The Platter’s 2019 South African Wine Guide has awarded the coveted five stars to two of Spier’s Chenin Blanc wines.
Pictured above: Organic winemaker Tania Kleintjes and Spier cellar master Frans Smit.
The Spier Farm House Chenin Blanc Organic 2016 – Spier’s first organic wine to receive this accolade – was crafted with grapes from an organically certified dryland vineyard on the Stellenbosch estate.
“We do very little in this small, low-yielding vineyard and this hands-off approach carries through into the cellar,” says Frans Smit, Spier’s cellar master. “The berries are extremely small and concentrated and we let these intense flavours speak for themselves, with no additives used. The grapes’ own natural yeasts complete the fermentation in old French oak barrels.”
“The perfect accompaniment to meals, a naturally-made Chenin like this one is robust, characterful and a little rough around the edges,” says Smit, “making the Platter’s five-star rating even more of a treasured accolade.”
The second five-star winner is no stranger to acclaim. The 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2017 has also been recognised as one of South Africa’s best Chenin Blancs through its inclusion in the Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge 2018.
Previous vintages have also received many accolades at home and abroad. This year, the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, the 2016 vintage won the Trophy for Best White Wine Overall; internationally, it received the 2018 Chenin Blanc Trophy at the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition.
“Spier has become renowned for Chenin Blanc thanks to our intense focus on the varietal. When I joined the farm 21 years ago, we only had two Chenin’s in our portfolio; now we have five,” Smit says. “It’s our biggest exported varietal and pays tribute to our rich winemaking heritage – Chenin was the first grape planted on the farm in the late 1600’s. We’re delighted with these awards – they show that our commitment to crafting high quality and terroir-expressive Chenin Blanc is bearing fruit, regardless of the price point or style of wine.”
Purchase these wines, and previous vintages, from www.spier.co.za