Chenin Blanc Pinotage Rosè 2023 - Simonsig

Wine of Origin South Africa, Stellenbosch.

A cold but dry winter in 2022 was followed by a long dry spell in spring and early summer.
Timely December rains brought much-needed relief to vineyards in South Africa’s Western Cape and played a crucial role in fruit set and energizing the vines for the weeks leading up to harvest. Simonsig experienced the earliest harvest start in living memory, with the first grapes arriving at the winery on January 11.
Throughout the harvest, temperatures remained moderate.
The harvest season was the second coldest in the last 10 years, with average temperatures consistently below average. These conditions ensured excellent ripening conditions for the grapes, setting the stage for an exceptional harvest of rosé and white wines.

The grapes were all hand-picked from carefully selected vineyard blocks and crushed separately to optimise the blending potential of this South African wine. The Chenin Blanc and Pinotage grapes were crushed, with the must promptly separated from the skins after a very gentle pressing. The resulting juice was exceptionally clear and was then inoculated with a specially selected yeast strain. Fermentation took place at temperatures between 12°C and 14°C, ensuring a slow fermentation that brought out the fruit flavours.

Mundus Vini: Gold;
Rosé Rocks: Double Gold;
Veritas: Silver.